Edward R. Kirkland Explained

Edward R. Kirkland
Birth Name:Edward Romph Kirkland
Birth Date:16 March 1923
Birth Place:Coral Gables, Florida, U.S.
Death Place:Winter Park, Florida, U.S.
Office1:Member of the
Florida House of Representatives
from Orange County
Term Start1:1951
Term End1:1953
Alongside1:Charles O. Andrews Jr.
Preceded1:Burton Thornal
Party:Democratic
Alma Mater:University of Miami
Stetson University

Edward Romph Kirkland (March 16, 1923 – November 26, 2012) was an American attorney and politician.[1] He served as a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1951 to 1953.[2]

Kirkland was born in Coral Gables, Florida, the son of Ruby and George Kirkland.[3] Kirkland served as a flight instructor and fighter pilot for the United States Army Air Force during World War II. In March 1945 Kirkland was shot down over Germany and captured by an enemy patrol, but managed to escape and return to his unit.

After the war Kirkland attended the University of Miami and Stetson University, where he earned his law degree. In 1951, he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. After one term, he left office in 1953.[4] He returned to his practice as a criminal defence lawyer, which included successfully arguing a case before the Supreme Court in 1968.

Death and legacy

Kirkland died in November 2012 at Winter Park Memorial Hospital in Winter Park, Florida, at the age of 89.

An accomplished golfer, he was inducted into the Stetson University Sports Hall of Fame in 1981.

Notes and References

  1. News: Kirkland Sticks To Plea For Campaign Inquiry. Associated Press. The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. March 7, 1951. September 11, 2022. 5. Newspapers.com.
  2. Web site: Membership of the Florida House of Representatives by County 1845–2012. Robert. Ward. August 3, 2011. Florida House of Representatives. September 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220316034642/https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/FileStores/Web/HouseContent/Approved/Public%20Guide/Uploads/Documents/house_counties_final.pdf. March 16, 2022. live. Wayback Machine.
  3. Web site: Edward Kirkland Obituary (1923-2012). Orlando Sentinel. November 29, 2012. September 11, 2022.
  4. Web site: Edward R. Kirkland (1981). GoHatters. September 11, 2022.