Lemuel F. Smith Explained

Lemuel F. Smith
Office:Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia
Term Start:February 15, 1951
Term End:October 15, 1956
Predecessor:Abram P. Staples
Successor:Harold F. Snead
Term Start2:January 14, 1920
Term End2:1926
Preceded2:David H. Pitts
Eber A. Carpenter
Succeeded2:Albert S. Bolling
Birth Name:Lemuel Franklin Smith
Birth Date:21 April 1890
Birth Place:Shadwell, Virginia, U.S.
Death Place:Virginia, U.S.
Alma Mater:Randolph Macon College
University of Virginia
Spouse:Eleanor Grace Stulting

Lemuel Franklin Smith (April 21, 1890 – October 15, 1956) was a Virginia, legislator, lawyer and judge.

Early life

Smith was born in Albemarle County, Virginia on April 21, 1890.[1] He attended Randolph Macon College, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree.[2]

Career

After teaching for three years at Randolph Macon Academy, he entered law school at the University of Virginia where he received his law degree in 1916. Shortly after that, he and John S. Battle opened a law office in Charlottesville. He was a member of Charlottesville's City Council, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, Commonwealth's Attorney for Albemarle County, judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit and, in 1951, was elected to the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia. He served on the court until his death. Justice Smith received an honorary LL. D. from Randolph Macon in 1951.

His great nephew, James H. Smith, followed in his footsteps and became Commonwealth's attorney and Juvenile and Domestics Relations judge. He was also a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Virginia House of Delegates Clerk's Office . Lemuel Franklin Smith. February 11, 2024 . House History .
  2. Web site: Virginia Appellate Court History . Lemuel Franklin Smith, February 15, 1951October 15, 1956 . February 11, 2024.