James A. Clift

James Augustus Clift, CBE, KC (December 22, 1857 – February 8, 1923) was a lawyer, insurance agent and political figure in Newfoundland. He represented Port de Grave from 1889 to 1893 and Twillingate from 1900 to 1919 in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly as a Liberal.

James A. Clift
Member of the Newfoundland House of Assembly for Twillingate
In office November 8, 1900 (1900-11-08) – November 3, 1919 (1919-11-03) Serving with Robert Bond (1900–14) George Roberts (1900–13) Walter Jennings (1913–19) William Coaker (1914–19)
Preceded by	Donald Browning Alan Goodridge
Succeeded by	George Jones Solomon Samson
Member of the Newfoundland House of Assembly for Port de Grave
In office November 6, 1889 (1889-11-06) – November 6, 1893 (1893-11-06)
Preceded by	George A. Hutchings
Succeeded by	Charles Dawe
Personal details
Born	James Augustus Clift (1857-12-22)December 22, 1857 St. John's, Newfoundland
Died	February 8, 1923(1923-02-08) (aged 65) St. John's, Newfoundland
Political party	Liberal
Spouse	Agnes Paterson ​ (m. 1891)​
Occupation	Lawyer

Biography

He was born in St. John's, the son of Theodore Clift,^[1] and was educated there and at the Windsor Academy in Nova Scotia. Clift studied law with Prescott Emerson and A. O. Hayward and was called to the Newfoundland bar in 1883. He was an agent for the Equitable Life Assurance Company and the General Fire Assurance Company of London. Clift served in the Newfoundland Executive Council as Minister of Mines and Agriculture from 1904 to 1909 and from 1918 to 1919. He was a District Grand Master in the Freemasons. He was named King's Counsel in 1903.

In 1891, Clift married Agnes Paterson.^[1]

He died at his home in St. John's on February 8, 1923.^[2]