[portrait of Howay]

Judge Howay - A Collector
The Student

Judge Frederic William Howay was born near London, Ontario on November 25, 1867. His family moved to British Columbia in 1870, and eventually settled in New Westminster in the fall of 1874. In 1885, he traveled to Victoria to write the Provincial teacher's examination for a permanent first class teacher's certificate. He would be one of only two students to pass this exam, the other candidate being Robie L. Reid, whose friendship he was to enjoy for nearly sixty years.

His friendship with Mr. Reid would serve to help shape his life just a few years later. In 1887, Howay was urged by Mr. Reid to join him in studying law at Dalhousie University. Both graduated in 1890 and in 1893 they would form the law firm of Howay & Reid, operating out of New Westminster. This partnership would last thirteen years, until 1906. Upon the retirement of His Honour Judge Bole in the fall of 1907, Howay was appointed Judge of the County Court of New Westminster, a position that he would hold until the fall of 1937, shortly after his seventieth birthday.

His interest in the history of British Columbia began at an early age, and would continue as a principal interest throughout his life. While attending Dalhousie University, he corresponded with and was printed by several newspapers, including the British Columbian and the Mainland Guardian, both prominent New Westminster publications. His personal historical library would grow alongside his reputation as an authority on the subject of British Columbian history.

[Howay's library] Right: An 8"x10" portrait of Judge Howay's collection, as seen in his personal library.

Given the estimated holdings of Judge Howay's personal library of 3,500 volumes, the limited selection of books captured in this photograph represents only those on display with facilitated access. It is also important to note that this photograph is thought to have been taken in the early 1920's, which was 20 years before the final donation of his private library.

Few historical scholars whose work has been primarily regional in scope have received as wide and spontaneous recognition as Judge Howay. Among the honours conferred upon him were President of the Art, Historical and Scientific Association of Vancouver (1910), Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (1928), Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (1930), Honourary Member of the Societé Académique d'Histoire Internationale of Paris (1934), President of the Royal Society of Canada (1941), and President of the Champlain Society (1942). This list represents but a small sample of the titles with which Judge Howay was honoured with over his career.

[map] Left: A map of the Oregon districts and the adjacent country (1845)

From Judge Howay's extensive collection of historical maps.

It is important to note that Judge Howay's ultimate priorities during this span were unquestionably his judicial duties, and the esteem and regard in which he was held in legal circles certainly mirrored his celebration among historical communities, if not surpassing it. After his retirement in 1937, he devoted himself to his literary and historical pursuits with undiminished energy, and the closing years of his life were among the most fruitful of his entire career. After a brief illness, Judge Howay died in New Westminster on October 4, 1943 at the age of 76.

[Jewitt title page] Right: Frontispiece and title page of A Narrative of the adventures and sufferings of John R. Jewitt, only survivor of the crew of the ship Boston.... (1815), the story of Jewitt's three years as a slave of the Nootka (Nuu-Chah-Nulth) of Vancouver Island.

From Howay's extensive collection of publications on the exploration of the Pacific Coast and the early maritime fur trade - the trend of both exploration and pioneering economies that would define the North West. On this subject, Judge Howay's collection is without equal.

Judge Howay was a student of history more so than a collector of books. He sought out books to challenge and further his knowledge of the specific events that interested him. Of special interest was the Maritime Fur Trade, a subject on which he became an international authority. He was known to write notes and changes directly onto the pages of his texts, certainly not the act of a pure book collector. As a result, Judge Howay assembled a working library, through which he became an authority on every subject that he studied.

[Howay's bookplate] Left: An original bookplate of Judge Howay's. The depiction is of a sea otter, the principal fur of the Maritime fur trade, and a vessel bearing the same name.

Judge Howay's bookplate again demonstrates that his primary interest lay in events of specific historical significance. It is believed that the depicted vessel, Sea Otter, was the first Maritime fur trading vessel to set its sails for China.

"He did not collect books simply for the possession of them, but used them as a true historian, to increase his and our knowledge of the North-West Coast.
Gift to the University thus most fitting."
(Dr. J.A. Pearce, Director of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Victoria, 1944)
"He has left this province and Canada the richer because he loved our history, spoke eloquently about it, preserved its records, wrote its story, and was, without doubt, the outstanding historian of British Columbia."
(Dr. Walter Noble Sage, Head of History Dept., University of British Columbia, 1944)

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