Armistead Mason Dobie
Encyclopedia
Armistead Mason Dobie was a law professor and United States federal judge
.
, Dobie received a B.A.
from the University of Virginia
in 1901, an M.A.
from the same institution in 1902, and an LL.B. from the University of Virginia School of Law
in 1904. He was in private practice in St. Louis, Missouri
from 1904 to 1907, becoming an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia School of Law in 1907, and a full professor in 1909.
Dobie served in France as assistant chief of staff of the 80th Division of the United States Army
during World War I
, from 1917 to 1919. Aside from this interruption, he served as law professor at the University of Virginia School of Law
from 1909 to 1939, and was dean of the law school from 1932 to 1939. Dobie "is credited with first introducing the case method of instruction to Virginia." He was widely published on a variety of legal and non-legal topics, and was an expert on federal court jurisdiction, and a member of the original drafting committee of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
.
In his years at the University, Dobie was an enthusiastic and inspirational figure: "Judge Dobie's lectures became public events at the University. His annual Easter lecture became known as the 'Dobie lecture,' and law students often brought dates to the event to hear the master orator working his unique magic with the English language. . . . Judge Dobie had a remarkable spirit and tirelessly involved himself in the events of the University. For instance, Judge Dobie often gave pep talks to the football team before its Homecoming games."
and Virginia's senators Carter Glass
and Harry F. Byrd, Sr., resulted in the rejection of Roosevelt's recess appointment of Floyd H. Roberts
to a newly created seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
. Dobie was then selected for the position vacated by the Senate's rejection of Roberts, and was nominated to the seat on May 16, 1939. Dobie was confirmed by the United States Senate
on May 25, 1939, and received his commission on June 2, 1939.
Then Solicitor General Robert H. Jackson
recalled that Roosevelt "thought Glass and Byrd would support Dobie and thereby break the deadlock without loss of face to anybody." Moreover, Roosevelt authorized Jackson to put out the word that Roosevelt would support Dobie for an upcoming vacancy on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
. When Jackson went to meet with Dobie at the Farmington Country Club, Dobie agreed to the President's offer, and soon thereafter Senators Glass and Byrd offered their support.
Another account relates Judge Dobie's appointment this way: "Years earlier, Roosevelt's son wanted to attend the University of Virginia, and Judge Dobie helped him gain admission. Thus, although Roosevelt had previously promised the next Fourth Circuit opening to Senator Byrnes of South Carolina, the President had to back out of that promise in order to reward Judge Dobie for his efforts on behalf of Roosevelt's son."
Having served only a few months as District Judge, Dobie received a Recess appointment
from Roosevelt on December 19, 1939 to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
, replacing Elliott Northcott
. Formally nominated on January 11, 1940, Dobie's nomination to the Court of Appeals was confirmed by the United States Senate
on February 1, 1940, and he received his commission on February 5, 1940. Dobie was succeeded on the District Court by Alfred D. Barksdale
.
On the Court of Appeals, Dobie worked with Judges John J. Parker
and Morris Ames Soper
. Their civil rights decisions included Alston v. School Board. A fourth seat on the Court was not added until 1961. "Judge Dobie sat for over 1400 Fourth Circuit cases, yet he authored only six dissents. However, as a remarkable testament to Judge Dobie's legal mind, the United States Supreme Court adopted the reasoning of four of his six dissents when the Court subsequently overruled the Fourth Circuit majority in those particular cases."
Dobie took senior status
on February 1, 1956, continuing in that capacity until his death, in 1962, in Charlottesville, Virginia
. He was succeeded on the Court of Appeals by Clement F. Haynsworth, Jr.
"A bachelor until just four years before his death, Judge Dobie spent his entire life thoroughly engrossed in the noble endeavor to learn, interpret, and apply the law to the daily lives of the people who came before his court. Apparent from his many decisions, the praise of his colleagues, and the admiration of the students he taught, Judge Dobie's love of the law permeated and influenced countless lives. As John S. Battle, the former Governor of Virginia and student of Judge Dobie, stated at a memorial for Judge Dobie in the Fourth Circuit courtroom in 1963, 'Judge Dobie is not dead; thousands of students of the law who sat at his feet will not forget him, and the learned opinions he wrote while a member of [the Fourth Circuit] will not die.'"
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
.
University leader
A native of Norfolk, VirginiaNorfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, Dobie received a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
in 1901, an M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
from the same institution in 1902, and an LL.B. from the University of Virginia School of Law
University of Virginia School of Law
The University of Virginia School of Law was founded in Charlottesville in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson as one of the original subjects taught at his "academical village," the University of Virginia. The law school maintains an enrollment of approximately 1,100 students in its initial degree program...
in 1904. He was in private practice in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
from 1904 to 1907, becoming an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia School of Law in 1907, and a full professor in 1909.
Dobie served in France as assistant chief of staff of the 80th Division of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, from 1917 to 1919. Aside from this interruption, he served as law professor at the University of Virginia School of Law
University of Virginia School of Law
The University of Virginia School of Law was founded in Charlottesville in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson as one of the original subjects taught at his "academical village," the University of Virginia. The law school maintains an enrollment of approximately 1,100 students in its initial degree program...
from 1909 to 1939, and was dean of the law school from 1932 to 1939. Dobie "is credited with first introducing the case method of instruction to Virginia." He was widely published on a variety of legal and non-legal topics, and was an expert on federal court jurisdiction, and a member of the original drafting committee of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure govern civil procedure in United States district courts. The FRCP are promulgated by the United States Supreme Court pursuant to the Rules Enabling Act, and then the United States Congress has 7 months to veto the rules promulgated or they become part of the...
.
In his years at the University, Dobie was an enthusiastic and inspirational figure: "Judge Dobie's lectures became public events at the University. His annual Easter lecture became known as the 'Dobie lecture,' and law students often brought dates to the event to hear the master orator working his unique magic with the English language. . . . Judge Dobie had a remarkable spirit and tirelessly involved himself in the events of the University. For instance, Judge Dobie often gave pep talks to the football team before its Homecoming games."
Federal judge
A dispute between Franklin D. RooseveltFranklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
and Virginia's senators Carter Glass
Carter Glass
Carter Glass was a newspaper publisher and politician from Lynchburg, Virginia. He served many years in Congress as a member of the Democratic Party. As House co-sponsor, he played a central role in the development of the 1913 Glass-Owen Act that created the Federal Reserve System. Glass...
and Harry F. Byrd, Sr., resulted in the rejection of Roosevelt's recess appointment of Floyd H. Roberts
Floyd H. Roberts
Floyd H. Roberts was a Virginia lawyer, state court judge, and, briefly, a United States federal judge, whose nomination after a recess appointment was rejected overwhelmingly by the United States Senate....
to a newly created seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
The United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia is a United States district court.Appeals from the Western District of Virginia are taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit The United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia (in...
. Dobie was then selected for the position vacated by the Senate's rejection of Roberts, and was nominated to the seat on May 16, 1939. Dobie was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on May 25, 1939, and received his commission on June 2, 1939.
Then Solicitor General Robert H. Jackson
Robert H. Jackson
Robert Houghwout Jackson was United States Attorney General and an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court . He was also the chief United States prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials...
recalled that Roosevelt "thought Glass and Byrd would support Dobie and thereby break the deadlock without loss of face to anybody." Moreover, Roosevelt authorized Jackson to put out the word that Roosevelt would support Dobie for an upcoming vacancy on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is a federal court located in Richmond, Virginia, with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:*District of Maryland*Eastern District of North Carolina...
. When Jackson went to meet with Dobie at the Farmington Country Club, Dobie agreed to the President's offer, and soon thereafter Senators Glass and Byrd offered their support.
Another account relates Judge Dobie's appointment this way: "Years earlier, Roosevelt's son wanted to attend the University of Virginia, and Judge Dobie helped him gain admission. Thus, although Roosevelt had previously promised the next Fourth Circuit opening to Senator Byrnes of South Carolina, the President had to back out of that promise in order to reward Judge Dobie for his efforts on behalf of Roosevelt's son."
Having served only a few months as District Judge, Dobie received a Recess appointment
Recess appointment
A recess appointment is the appointment, by the President of the United States, of a senior federal official while the U.S. Senate is in recess. The U.S. Constitution requires that the most senior federal officers must be confirmed by the Senate before assuming office, but while the Senate is in...
from Roosevelt on December 19, 1939 to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is a federal court located in Richmond, Virginia, with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:*District of Maryland*Eastern District of North Carolina...
, replacing Elliott Northcott
Elliott Northcott
Elliott Northcott was a United States federal judge.Born in Clarksburg, West Virginia, Northcott attended the University of Michigan Law School, but read law to enter the bar in 1891. He was in private practice in West Virginia from 1891 to the present. He was a City attorney of Huntington, West...
. Formally nominated on January 11, 1940, Dobie's nomination to the Court of Appeals was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on February 1, 1940, and he received his commission on February 5, 1940. Dobie was succeeded on the District Court by Alfred D. Barksdale
Alfred D. Barksdale
Alfred Dickinson Barksdale was a soldier, Virginia lawyer and legislator, state court judge, and United States federal judge.-Military career:...
.
On the Court of Appeals, Dobie worked with Judges John J. Parker
John J. Parker
John Johnston Parker was a U.S. judge who failed confirmation to the Supreme Court by one vote. He was also the U.S. alternate judge at the Nuremberg Trials of Nazi war criminals and later served on the United Nations' International Law Commission.John J. Parker was born in Monroe, North Carolina,...
and Morris Ames Soper
Morris Ames Soper
Morris Ames Soper was a United States federal judge.Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Soper received an A.B. from Johns Hopkins University in 1893 and an LL.B. from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1895. He was an Assistant state's attorney of Baltimore City from 1897 to 1899. He was an...
. Their civil rights decisions included Alston v. School Board. A fourth seat on the Court was not added until 1961. "Judge Dobie sat for over 1400 Fourth Circuit cases, yet he authored only six dissents. However, as a remarkable testament to Judge Dobie's legal mind, the United States Supreme Court adopted the reasoning of four of his six dissents when the Court subsequently overruled the Fourth Circuit majority in those particular cases."
Dobie took senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
on February 1, 1956, continuing in that capacity until his death, in 1962, in Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
. He was succeeded on the Court of Appeals by Clement F. Haynsworth, Jr.
Clement Haynsworth
Clement Furman Haynsworth, Jr. was a United States judge and an unsuccessful nominee for the United States Supreme Court....
"A bachelor until just four years before his death, Judge Dobie spent his entire life thoroughly engrossed in the noble endeavor to learn, interpret, and apply the law to the daily lives of the people who came before his court. Apparent from his many decisions, the praise of his colleagues, and the admiration of the students he taught, Judge Dobie's love of the law permeated and influenced countless lives. As John S. Battle, the former Governor of Virginia and student of Judge Dobie, stated at a memorial for Judge Dobie in the Fourth Circuit courtroom in 1963, 'Judge Dobie is not dead; thousands of students of the law who sat at his feet will not forget him, and the learned opinions he wrote while a member of [the Fourth Circuit] will not die.'"