Purnell, Thomas Richard Born November 11, 1847, in Wilmington, NC Died December 19, 1908, in Raleigh, NC Federal Judicial Service: Judge, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina Nominated by William McKinley on April 26, 1897, to a seat vacated by Augustus S. Seymour. Confirmed by the Senate on May 5, 1897, and received commission on May 5, 1897. Service terminated on December 19, 1908, due to death. Education: Read law, 1869 Trinity College (now Duke University), 1869 Professional Career: Private practice, Baltimore, Maryland and Salem, North Carolina, 1870-1873 Librarian, State of North Carolina, Raleigh, North Carolina, 1873-1876 State representative, North Carolina, 1876-1877 Commissioner, U.S. Circuit Court, Eastern District of North Carolina, 1877-1891 State senator, North Carolina, 1883-1884 Private practice, Raleigh, North Carolina, 1876-1897 Candidate for attorney general, State of North Carolina, 1892