John Joseph McGee, 
Former Clerk of the Privy Council (1882-1907)

John Joseph McGee
Clerk of the Queen's Privy Council
May 20, 1882 to May 5, 1907

Biographical Notes

John Joseph McGee was the longest-serving Clerk of the Privy Council, filling the position for almost 25 years, from May 20, 1882, to May 5, 1907.

Mr. McGee was born in Ireland and came to Canada in 1863 at the request of his half-brother, Thomas D’Arcy McGee. He was educated at St. Peter’s College, Wexford, and McGill University, where he took a course of scientific studies. He was engaged by the government during the construction of the Intercolonial Railroad and entered the civil service in 1879 as a first class clerk in the Dominion Lands Branch of the Department of the Interior. Mr. McGee was appointed Assistant Clerk of the Queen’s Privy Council on January 19, 1880, and was promoted to the Clerkship on May 20, 1882. He held a commission under the Great Seal of the Dominion, which empowered him to administer oaths of allegiance and of office to all persons appointed to any office under the Great or Privy Seals and was a commissioner under the Oaths Act for all the provinces. He passed away on April 10, 1927.

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