Francis B. Carter Explained

Francis Beauregard Carter (August 12, 1861 – January 9, 1937) was a justice of the Florida Supreme Court from January 11, 1897 to May 25, 1905.^[1]

Early life, education, and career

Born in Jackson County, Florida, Carter became a prominent attorney in Marianna, Florida. In 1875, Carter formed a legal partnership with Benjamin S. Liddon, which lasted until Liddon's appointment to the Florida Supreme Court in 1894.^[2]

Political and judicial activities

Carter was politically active, and was "a strong free silver man", to the point of becoming a "silver delegate" to the 1896 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.^[3] Carter was personal friends with William Jennings Bryan, and was "an earnest supporter of Bryan and Sewall throughout the convention".^[3] In August 1896, Carter was selected as a Democratic presidential elector for the state of Florida.^[3]

On January 11, 1897 Governor William D. Bloxham appointed Carter, then 35 years old, to a seat on the Florida Supreme Court vacated by the retirement of Justice Liddon. Carter served until 1905, when he "resigned to take a more active position as judge of the First Judicial Circuit".^[2]

Death

Carter died in Pensacola, Florida following an illness, at the age of 75.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Erik Robinson, "Florida Supreme Court Justices: List of Life Dates", Florida Supreme Court Historical Society (June 2010).
2. Joseph A. Boyd Jr., Randall Reder, "A History of the Florida Supreme Court", University of Miami Law Review (1981), p. 1043.
3. "Judge Wellborn Resigns", The Pensacola News (August 6, 1896), p. 4.
4. "Judge F. B. Carter Succumbs to Illness", The Orlando Sentinel (January 10, 1937), p. 2.