294 THE ADVOCATE
VOL. 80 PART 2 MARCH 2022
losophy, jurisprudence, criticism, history, reform, economics”. Soon after it
started, however, the publication fell behind schedule and lacked the funding
to continue. Walker worked with the African Civilization Movement,
which promoted the resettlement of educated Blacks in British Africa.
In 1907, Walker tried again to obtain appointment (now as King’s Counsel),
writing to New Brunswick’s Attorney General, Harrison Andrew McKeown,
that he should receive the honour as “the senior Negro lawyer in the
British Empire”. He said he wished to be King’s Counsel not “merely for the
privilege of wearing the silk robe in court, but for the influence the honour
will give me in carrying on the African Civilization Movement, which I am
promoting … such a step on the part of the Government would be a signal
compliment to twenty thousand loyal Negroes of Canada, as well as a splendid
piece of evidence of the broadness and resolution of the statesmen who,
today, shape and control the political welfare of the people of New
Brunswick”. Again, he did not succeed.
Walker died in 1909, of tuberculosis, survived by his wife Eliza and at
least one child. At the time of Walker’s death, one local newspaper called
him “a man of brilliant intellect and upright character” who “enjoyed the
respect of the whole community”; another attributed to him “fine education,
wide reading, intellectual activity and large aspirations”, with a “good”
dream and “generous” purposes.
Several years ago, a historian who became interested in Walker’s story
wrote to the Chief Justice of New Brunswick to see if Walker could be
appointed as Queen’s Counsel posthumously. The Chief Justice researched
the point and concluded that this was not permitted by law, but suggested
that an alternative would be for Walker supporters to apply for him to
receive a posthumous Order of New Brunswick. (The object of that order is
“to recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement
and who have made outstanding contributions to the social, cultural
or economic well-being of New Brunswick and its residents”.) An application
was made successfully; Walker was named posthumously to the Order
of New Brunswick in 2019.
Walker had been buried at a Church of England cemetery in Saint John.
In June 2021, a headstone was placed at his grave in place of a marker that
had deteriorated. A plaque was also to be placed at the Saint John Law
Courts building. Further, there is a first-year entrance scholarship (or scholarships)
of a value of up to $5,000 at UNB in Walker’s honour.
DELOS ROGEST DAVIS
Our second story of paths to potential (in his case) King’s Counsel appoint-