George William Whitehurst Explained

George William Whitehurst
Office:Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Term Start:June 30, 1961
Term End:January 13, 1974
Office1:Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Term Start1:1959
Term End1:1961
Predecessor1:William J. Barker
Successor1:John Milton Bryan Simpson
Office2:Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Term Start2:February 23, 1950
Term End2:June 30, 1961
Appointer2:Harry S. Truman
Predecessor2:Seat established by 63 Stat. 493
Successor2:George C. Young
Birth Name:George William Whitehurst
Birth Date:18 May 1891
Birth Place:Wauchula, Florida
Education:Fredric G. Levin College of Law (LL.B.)

George William Whitehurst (May 18, 1891 – January 13, 1974) was a Florida state court judge and later a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Education and career

Born in Wauchula, Florida, Whitehurst received a Bachelor of Laws from the Fredric G. Levin College of Law at the University of Florida. He entered private practice from 1915 to 1916. He was a county judge in DeSoto County, Florida from 1917 to 1919, and a Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida from 1919 to 1947.

Federal judicial service

Whitehurst was nominated by President Harry S. Truman on January 30, 1950, to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, to a new joint seat authorized by 63 Stat. 493. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 21, 1950, and received his commission on February 23, 1950. He served as Chief Judge of the Southern District from 1959 to 1961. He assumed senior status on June 30, 1961. His service terminated on January 13, 1974, due to his death.