William Wallace Riddell Paintings

William Wallace Riddell was not primarily known as an artist but as a Canadian jurist and historian. Born on April 6, 1852, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Riddell had a career that spanned law, education, and public service rather than the fine arts.

He attended the University of Toronto where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1876 and a Master of Arts in 1877. Riddell went on to study law and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1883. His legal career was illustrious, and he served as a judge of the Supreme Court of Ontario from 1906 until his retirement in 1936.

Beyond his legal practice and judgeship, Riddell was also deeply involved in historical scholarship. He wrote extensively on various topics concerning Canadian history and law. His interests in history were broad, covering both legal history and the history of Ontario and Canada at large. Riddell contributed to the understanding of Canada's legal heritage through his writings and was also known for his public lectures on historical topics.

He was awarded honorary degrees by several universities, including his alma mater, the University of Toronto, and was also appointed to the Order of St. Michael and St. George.

Throughout his life, Riddell's contributions to history and law were significant, though it is important to note that he was not an artist in the traditional sense of a painter, sculptor, or visual creator. His 'art' could perhaps be best understood in the context of his writings and scholarly work which have left a lasting legacy in Canadian history and law. He passed away on February 3, 1945.