Gordon F. Henderson

Gordon Fripp Henderson
Henderson (1984) taken by Harry Palmer
Honorary Consul to Liberia in Canada
51st President of the Canadian Bar Association
In office
1979–1980
Preceded byThomas J. Walsh
Succeeded byA. William Cox
Chancellor of the University of Ottawa
In office
1991–1993
Preceded byMaurice Sauvé
Succeeded byHuguette Labelle
Personal details
Born(1912-04-17)April 17, 1912
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
DiedAugust 17, 1993(1993-08-17) (aged 81)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
SpouseJoan Parkins (m. 1942-1993)
RelationsHenderson family
Children3 including Gordon Henderson
Parent(s)Gordon Smith Henderson
Charlotte Stratton
Alma mater
ProfessionLawyer
AwardsOrder of Canada

Gordon Fripp Henderson, CC QC (April 17, 1912 – August 17, 1993) was a Canadian intellectual property lawyer who joined the law firm Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP in 1937, and later became its chairman. He was known for his advocacy on intellectual property matters as well as his involvement in intellectual property organizations throughout his career. Henderson's contribution to the development of Canadian and international jurisprudence is described as one of the most significant in Canadian legal history.

Henderson appeared in a reported 400 cases including 90 cases before the Supreme Court of Canada and worked right until his death in 1993. He founded the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada, the Canadian Patent Reporter, and was the president of the Canadian Bar Association.

He was involved in many organizations outside of the law. He took part in, and founded, multiple cable and radio companies in Ottawa and served on countless boards. He was the chancellor of the University of Ottawa and was instrumental in the foundation of SOCAN as its lawyer and later as chairman.

Henderson was a philanthropist and civic leader in Ottawa having lent his support to many causes. For his decades of service he received the 1988 B'nai B'rith Award of Merit and a Companionship within the Order of Canada.