Butler, Pierce

Born March 17, 1866, in Dakota County, MN
Died November 16, 1939, in Washington, DC

Federal Judicial Service:
Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the United States
Nominated by Warren G. Harding on December 5, 1922, to a seat vacated by William R. Day. Confirmed by the Senate on December 21, 1922, and received commission on December 21, 1922. Service terminated on November 16, 1939, due to death.

Supreme Court Oath:
January 2, 1923

Allotment as Circuit Justice:

Third Circuit, January 22, 1923-March 15, 1925
Seventh Circuit, March 16, 1925-April 9, 1929
Eighth Circuit, April 10, 1929-November 16, 1939
Tenth Circuit, November 8, 1937-November 16, 1939

Education:
Carleton College, B.S., 1887
Read law, 1888

Professional Career:

Assistant county attorney, Ramsey County, Minnesota, 1891-1892
County attorney, Ramsey County, Minnesota, 1893-1896
Private practice, Ramsey County, Minnesota, 1897-1922

Other Nominations/Recess Appointments:

Nominated to Supreme Court of the United States, November 21, 1922; no Senate vote

Bibliography

Schroeder, David. “More than a Fraction: The Life and Work of Justice Pierce Butler.” Ph.D. Diss., Marquette University, 2009.

________. “Joining the Court: Pierce Butler.” Journal of Supreme Court History, vol. 35, no. 2 (July 2010): 144-65.

Stras, David R. “Pierce Butler: A Supreme Technician.” Vanderbilt Law Review, vol. 62, no. 2 (Mar. 2009): 695-756.

Manuscript Collections

Minnesota Historical Society
St. Paul, Minn.
Pierce Butler family papers, 1855-1986.
42 cubic ft. (39 boxes); finding aid; restricted; collection contains correspondence and
miscellaneous papers.

Pierce Butler papers, 1923-1939.
1 box; collection contains speeches and newspaper clippings.

Records relating to Pierce Butler's appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court, 1917-1922.
.25 cubic ft.; finding aid; represented.

Federal Judicial Center

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Butler, Pierce