The Thompson Rare Book Room was established circa 2003-04 through a generous donation by the Thompson family. The Thompson Rare Book Room hosts the law school's physical collection of historic legal literature and rare texts.
While many of the older texts have fallen out of regular use and circulation, they remain an important staple of our collection, in terms of their rarity and historical value. As part of the oldest law school in Canada and the largest law library east of Montreal, the Sir James Dunn Law Library has assumed an archival role for historic and rare legal works. The scope of the Thompson Rare Book Collection spans across time and space, from 16th century Britain to 19th century Nova Scotia, and features an eclectic mix of items such as maps, manuscripts, diaries, biographies, textbooks, and more. Maritime and commercial law are notably well-represented in the collection and hold particular significance in Nova Scotia, given the province's coastal geography and colonial history.
Many of the items in the collection have come to us by way of alumni donation, faculty, and private collections. Totalling over 1000 items, the Thompson Rare Book Collection highlights the library's inventory of rare books, of which many are fundamental French, British, and Canadian legal texts, and (more than a few) oddities and curiosities. If you would like to visit the physical collection please contact the law library.
This digital collection is a selection of works chosen to represent the broad scope of historical and rare sources within the Thompson Rare Book Collection. The digital items range from historical case reporters to lecture notes and poems.-
Some Contrasts Between American and Canadian Legal Education
Carnegie
Advanced extract from the twentieth annual report of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Includes comments on:
- Bar Admission Requirements,
- Standardizing Agencies,
- Statistics and Lists of Law Schools,
- The American Law Institute
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The Canadian Law List (Hardy's) 1900
H. Cartwright
The Canadian Law List (Hardy's) 1900 edited by H. Cartqright, Esq. includes:
- Canadian law firms and barristers;
- Canadian Commissioners;
- Dominion Laws;
- Members of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada;
- Judges;
- Synopsis of laws.3
Content is organized by province.
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Equity 1900-1901 3rd Year
Donald Frank Matheson
This notebook was used by D. Frank Matheson, an alumnus of Dalhousie Law School, Class of 1901, in his third year Equity Law class.
The Matheson Notebooks are a collection of seven bound notebooks used by Frank Matheson during his time at Dalhousie School of Law between 1898 and 1901. In 2018, they were found in the basement of a Lunenburg law firm and donated to Schulich School of Law. There are two or three notebooks from each year of Matheson’s studies, ranging slightly in size and style. The notebooks have pages made from linen rags, are bound with paper covers, and marbled with ink along the edges. The books are written in using ink pen or pencil, and contain ink blotches, fingerprints, and smudges that Matheson left behind.
Physical Description
The artifact itself is a composition notebook with red, feather marbled paper cover in white, blue, orange, and green. The spine is covered in black fabric. The book block has been inked red, though the colour has faded, and the word "Equity" is written in ink along the foredge.
Transcription and accessibility measures are in progress.
Thanks to Piotr Luczak (Burke, Macdonald & Luczak, Barristers and Solicitors, in Lunenburg, NS) and Ilana Luther (Law Reform Commission of Nova Scotia and Schulich School of Law) for their discovery and donation of these notebooks to the Sir James Dunn Law Library and the Schulich School of Law.
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International Law 1900-1901, 3rd Year
Donald Frank Matheson
This notebook was used by D. Frank Matheson, an alumnus of Dalhousie Law School, Class of 1901, in his third year International Law class.
The Matheson Notebooks are a collection of seven bound notebooks used by Frank Matheson during his time at Dalhousie School of Law between 1898 and 1901. In 2018, they were found in the basement of a Lunenburg law firm and donated to Schulich School of Law. There are two or three notebooks from each year of Matheson’s studies, ranging slightly in size and style. The notebooks have pages made from linen rags, are bound with paper covers, and marbled with ink along the edges. The books are written in using ink pen or pencil, and contain ink blotches, fingerprints, and smudges that Matheson left behind.
Physical Description
The artifact itself is a black composition notebook with a red spine-cover, a paper label, and new rolled linen pages. The front and back covers are glued over with black paper with a mottled, almost bark like pattern. The spine is covered in red leather or a faux leather material. The book block and foredge are marbled with blue ink, and "International Law" is written in black ink along the foredge.
Transcription and accessibility measures are in progress.
Thanks to Piotr Luczak (Burke, Macdonald & Luczak, Barristers and Solicitors, in Lunenburg, NS) and Ilana Luther (Law Reform Commission of Nova Scotia and Schulich School of Law) for their discovery and donation of these notebooks to the Sir James Dunn Law Library and the Schulich School of Law.
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Constitutional Law: 1899-1900 Second Year
Donald Frank Matheson
This notebook was used by D. Frank Matheson, an alumnus of Dalhousie Law School, Class of 1901, in his second year Constitutional Law class.
The Matheson Notebooks are a collection of seven bound notebooks used by Frank Matheson during his time at Dalhousie School of Law between 1898 and 1901. In 2018, they were found in the basement of a Lunenburg law firm and donated to Schulich School of Law. There are two or three notebooks from each year of Matheson’s studies, ranging slightly in size and style. The notebooks have pages made from linen rags, are bound with paper covers, and marbled with ink along the edges. The books are written in using ink pen or pencil, and contain ink blotches, fingerprints, and smudges that Matheson left behind.
Physical Description
The artifact itself is a black composition notebook with a red spine, a paper label, and new rolled linen pages. The front and back covers are glued over with black paper with a mottled, almost bark like pattern. The spine is covered in red leather or a faux leather material. There are six slightly raised bands along the spine, though it is unclear whether this is an intentional design choice or just a manufacturing by-product. The front cover is partially torn down the top, with rust-coloured staining next to the spine that could be an indication of water damage.
Transcription and accessibility measures are in progress.
Thanks to Piotr Luczak (Burke, Macdonald & Luczak, Barristers and Solicitors, in Lunenburg, NS) and Ilana Luther (Law Reform Commission of Nova Scotia and Schulich School of Law) for their discovery and donation of these notebooks to the Sir James Dunn Law Library and the Schulich School of Law.
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Conveyancing: 1899-1900 Second Year
Donald Frank Matheson
This notebook was used by D. Frank Matheson, an alumnus of Dalhousie Law School, Class of 1901, in his second year Conveyancing Law class.
The Matheson Notebooks are a collection of seven bound notebooks used by Frank Matheson during his time at Dalhousie School of Law between 1898 and 1901. In 2018, they were found in the basement of a Lunenburg law firm and donated to Schulich School of Law. There are two or three notebooks from each year of Matheson’s studies, ranging slightly in size and style. The notebooks have pages made from linen rags, are bound with paper covers, and marbled with ink along the edges. The books are written in using ink pen or pencil, and contain ink blotches, fingerprints, and smudges that Matheson left behind.
Physical Description
The artifact itself is a composition notebook with a dark yellow and brown cover with an overlay of purple marbling. The spine is covered with green leather and the pages are made of rag mulch. There are six raised bands along the spine and the book block and foredges are splattered with red ink.Transcription and accessibility measures are in progress.
Thanks to Piotr Luczak (Burke, Macdonald & Luczak, Barristers and Solicitors, in Lunenburg, NS) and Ilana Luther (Law Reform Commission of Nova Scotia and Schulich School of Law) for their discovery and donation of these notebooks to the Sir James Dunn Law Library and the Schulich School of Law.
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Equity: 1899-1900 Second Year
Donald Frank Matheson
This notebook was used by D. Frank Matheson, an alumnus of Dalhousie Law School, Class of 1901, in his second year Equity Law class.
The Matheson Notebooks are a collection of seven bound notebooks used by Frank Matheson during his time at Dalhousie School of Law between 1898 and 1901. In 2018, they were found in the basement of a Lunenburg law firm and donated to Schulich School of Law. There are two or three notebooks from each year of Matheson’s studies, ranging slightly in size and style. The notebooks have pages made from linen rags, are bound with paper covers, and marbled with ink along the edges. The books are written in using ink pen or pencil, and contain ink blotches, fingerprints, and smudges that Matheson left behind.
Physical Description
The artifact itself is a composition notebook with a red, white, and blue cover in a feathered marbled pattern. The spine is covered in black leather. The book block appears to have been dipped in red ink, but the colour has significantly faded. The pages appear to be made of rag mulch.
Transcription and accessibility measures are in progress.
Thanks to Piotr Luczak (Burke, Macdonald & Luczak, Barristers and Solicitors, in Lunenburg, NS) and Ilana Luther (Law Reform Commission of Nova Scotia and Schulich School of Law) for their discovery and donation of these notebooks to the Sir James Dunn Law Library and the Schulich School of Law.
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Contracts: Dalhousie Law School, D Frank Matheson, First Year
Donald Frank Matheson
This notebook was used by D. Frank Matheson, an alumnus of Dalhousie Law School, Class of 1901, in his first year Contract Law class.
The Matheson Notebooks are a collection of seven bound notebooks used by Frank Matheson during his time at Dalhousie School of Law between 1898 and 1901. In 2018, they were found in the basement of a Lunenburg law firm and donated to Schulich School of Law. There are two or three notebooks from each year of Matheson’s studies, ranging slightly in size and style. The notebooks have pages made from linen rags, are bound with paper covers, and marbled with ink along the edges. The books are written in using ink pen or pencil, and contain ink blotches, fingerprints, and smudges that Matheson left behind.
Physical Description
The artifact itself is a black composition notebook with a red spine, a paper label, and new rolled linen pages. The front and back covers are glued over with black paper with a mottled, almost bark like pattern. The spine is covered in red leather or a faux leather material. There are six slightly raised bands along the spine, though it is unclear whether this is an intentional design choice or just a manufacturing by-product. The book block and foredge is marbled with blue ink.
Transcription and accessibility measures are in progress.
Thanks to Piotr Luczak (Burke, Macdonald & Luczak, Barristers and Solicitors, in Lunenburg, NS) and Ilana Luther (Law Reform Commission of Nova Scotia and Schulich School of Law) for their discovery and donation of these notebooks to the Sir James Dunn Law Library and the Schulich School of Law.
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Real Property: Dalhousie Law School, First Year
Donald Frank Matheson
This notebook was used by D. Frank Matheson, an alumnus of Dalhousie Law School, Class of 1901, in his first year Real Property class.
The Matheson Notebooks are a collection of seven bound notebooks used by Frank Matheson during his time at Dalhousie School of Law between 1898 and 1901. In 2018, they were found in the basement of a Lunenburg law firm and donated to Schulich School of Law. There are two or three notebooks from each year of Matheson’s studies, ranging slightly in size and style. The notebooks have pages made from linen rags, are bound with paper covers, and marbled with ink along the edges. The books are written in using ink pen or pencil, and contain ink blotches, fingerprints, and smudges that Matheson left behind.
Physical Description
The artifact itself is a black composition notebook with a red spine, a paper label, and new rolled linen pages. The front and back covers are glued over with black paper with a mottled, almost bark like pattern. The spine is covered in red leather or a faux leather material. There are ix slightly raised bands along the spine, though it is unclear whether this is an intentional design choice or just a manufacturing by-product. The book block and foredge marbled with blue ink. There is white and light green spotted staining on top of front cover, possibly from paint.
Transcription and accessibility measures are in progress.
Thanks to Piotr Luczak (Burke, Macdonald & Luczak, Barristers and Solicitors, in Lunenburg, NS) and Ilana Luther (Law Reform Commission of Nova Scotia and Schulich School of Law) for their discovery and donation of these notebooks to the Sir James Dunn Law Library and the Schulich School of Law.
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Reports of Cases Adjudged in the Supreme Court of the Province of New Brunswick
George F S Berton
Reports of Cases Adjudged in the Supreme Court of the Province of New Brunswick: Commencing in Hilary Term, 1835, written by George F. S. Berton in 1835 is a 217 page compilation of cases argued and determined in the Supreme Court of New Brunswick. It includes an index and the option to full-text search.
Preface:
At the date of the commencement of these Reports, I was induced by a desire to render service to my professional brethren and the public, to publish the notes, which I had taken only for my own use, of the cases in Hilary, 1835. They first appeared in the Royal Gazette, and were then issued in pamphlet form. I continued so to publish the cases determined during that year.
In the Session of 1836, the Legislature, satisfied of the “ great importance of obtaining correct reports of the decisions of the Supreme Court,” authorized the Lieutenant Governor to appoint a Reporter, secured to him the copyright of his work, and granted an annual sum as a remuneration for his services. Under this Act I had the honor to be appointed, and have, from the time of my appointment, carefully collected and reported all the decisions of the Court.
Among the cases of 1835, there were several of very great and general importance, and as I was enabled, by the kindness of their Honors the Chief Justice and the other Judges, to have access to their notes and written judgments; I considered it only due to the liberality and kindness with which my efforts had been met, to re-publish the whole of the cases from the beginning of 1835 ; this has now been done, and although I have thereby incurred a heavy pecuniary expense, yet I shall be enabled to proceed with more satisfaction
to myself and the public than I could by Continuing a work imperfectly commenced. Much delay has occurred in the printing, but I am now induced to hope that the work will be proceeded with diligently until completed, and that hereafter the numbers will be issued within a reasonable time after every Term.
It is proper that I should acknowledge the very great assistance which, during along illness, I have received from Mr. George Lee, as well in compiling the latter part of the cases now published, as in the general correction of the Press.
G. F. S. Berton.
Fredericton, January, 1839.
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Notes of Lectures on the Law of Scotland, Vol. I
George Joseph Bell
Lecture notes hand-written by George Joseph Bell, Professor of Scots Law at Edinburgh University in Session 1826-27 touching on the laws of:
- Part I: Personal Rights (pages 1–132);
- Part II: Law of Property (pages 133–439)
Volume I ends on page 206.
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Notes of Lectures on the Law of Scotland, Vol II
George Joseph Bell
Volume II of hand-written lecture notes of George Joseph Bell, Professor of Scots Law at Edinburgh University in Session 1826-27 touching on the laws of:
- Part I: Personal Rights (pages 1–132);
- Part II: Law of Property (pages 133–439)
Volume II begins at page 207.
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Thoughts in Prison
William Dodd
The following work, as the dates of the respective parts evince, was begun by its unhappy Author in his apartments at Newgate, on the evening of the day subsequent to his trial and conviction at Justice Hall; and was finished, amidst various necessary interruptions, in little more than the space of two months.
The few little pieces subjoined to the Thoughts, and the Author’s Last Prayer, were found amongst his papers. Their evident connection with the Poem was the inducement for adding them to the volume.
Written by the Rev. William Dodd, during his time in prison prior to his execution. Dodd was imprisoned on the charge of forgery, and was hanged at Tyburn in 1777. This particular work features his reflections on the judicial and prison systems of the 18th century.
