Charles Culp Burlingham
Encyclopedia
Charles Culp Burlingham was a prominent New York City
lawyer
, legal reformer, and president of the New York City Bar Association.
, New Jersey
on August 31, 1858. He was the son of the Reverend Aaron Hale and Emma Starr Burlingham. He received his Bachelor of Arts
degree from Harvard University
in 1879, and he received a Bachelor of Laws
degree from Columbia University
in 1881 (he received an honorary Juris Doctor
degree from Columbia in 1933).
, and took up private practice in a series of partnerships, eventually becoming lead partner in the firm Burlingham, Veeder, Masten, & Feary, a precursor to the modern firm of Burlingham Underwood LLP, which closed in 2002.
Charles Burlingham represented a number of prominent clients through his firm, including the Holland America Line
, Anchor Line, Nippon Yusen
, and other shipping lines in North America
, South America
, and Europe
. His most famous client in private practice was White Star Line
, which he successfully represented before the United States Supreme Court in 1912, following the sinking of the RMS Titanic. The case resulted in a landmark ruling that American laws were applicable to foreign shipping firms facing law suits in United States courts, and limited the total liability of the company to $91,000 in lawsuits brought by the families of Titanic passengers.
in 1897, and served as the Board’s president from 1902 to 1903.
In addition, he served as president of the Welfare Council of New York City, the Harvard Alumni Association, the Columbia
Alumni Association, and as a warden of St. George’s Episcopal Church. His expertise in maritime law led him to become a prominent member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States and the Comite Maritime International. He also served as a member of the New York County Lawyers Association, the American Law Institute
, and the New York State Bar Association
.
Burlingham was a prominent participant in New York City judicial and electoral politics, and his influence was instrumental in beginning the legal careers of, among others, Benjamin Cardozo and Learned Hand
. He was also a friend and close adviser to New York City Mayor
Fiorello LaGuardia.
From 1929 to 1931, Burlingham served as president of the New York City Bar Association.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, legal reformer, and president of the New York City Bar Association.
Early life
Charles Culp Burlingham was born in PlainfieldPlainfield, New Jersey
Plainfield is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population increased to a record high of 49,808....
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
on August 31, 1858. He was the son of the Reverend Aaron Hale and Emma Starr Burlingham. He received his Bachelor of Arts
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...
degree from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1879, and he received a Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
degree from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in 1881 (he received an honorary Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree from Columbia in 1933).
Private practice
Burlingham was admitted to the New York bar in 1881. He became a leader in the field of admiralty lawAdmiralty law
Admiralty law is a distinct body of law which governs maritime questions and offenses. It is a body of both domestic law governing maritime activities, and private international law governing the relationships between private entities which operate vessels on the oceans...
, and took up private practice in a series of partnerships, eventually becoming lead partner in the firm Burlingham, Veeder, Masten, & Feary, a precursor to the modern firm of Burlingham Underwood LLP, which closed in 2002.
Charles Burlingham represented a number of prominent clients through his firm, including the Holland America Line
Holland America Line
The Holland America Line is a cruise shipping company. It was founded in 1873 as the Netherlands-America Steamship Company , a shipping and passenger line. Headquartered in Rotterdam and providing service to the Americas, it became known as Holland America Line...
, Anchor Line, Nippon Yusen
Nippon Yusen
Japan-based or NYK Line, is one of the largest shipping companies in the world. It is a core Mitsubishi company. The company has its headquarters in Chiyoda, Tokyo.-1870-1900:...
, and other shipping lines in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. His most famous client in private practice was White Star Line
White Star Line
The Oceanic Steam Navigation Company or White Star Line of Boston Packets, more commonly known as the White Star Line, was a prominent British shipping company, today most famous for its ill-fated vessel, the RMS Titanic, and the World War I loss of Titanics sister ship Britannic...
, which he successfully represented before the United States Supreme Court in 1912, following the sinking of the RMS Titanic. The case resulted in a landmark ruling that American laws were applicable to foreign shipping firms facing law suits in United States courts, and limited the total liability of the company to $91,000 in lawsuits brought by the families of Titanic passengers.
Civic involvement
Burlingham was best known for his involvement in civic and legal reform in New York City, a commitment which earned him the nickname “first citizen of New York.” After being admitted to the bar, he served in leadership positions in a number of prominent civic organizations. He joined the New York City Board of EducationNew York City Board of Education
The New York City Board of Education is the governing body of the New York City Department of Education. The members of the board are appointed by the mayor and by the five borough presidents.-Rise, fall and return of Mayoral Control:...
in 1897, and served as the Board’s president from 1902 to 1903.
In addition, he served as president of the Welfare Council of New York City, the Harvard Alumni Association, the Columbia
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
Alumni Association, and as a warden of St. George’s Episcopal Church. His expertise in maritime law led him to become a prominent member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States and the Comite Maritime International. He also served as a member of the New York County Lawyers Association, the American Law Institute
American Law Institute
The American Law Institute was established in 1923 to promote the clarification and simplification of American common law and its adaptation to changing social needs. The ALI drafts, approves, and publishes Restatements of the Law, Principles of the Law, model codes, and other proposals for law...
, and the New York State Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
The New York State Bar Association , with 77,000 members, is the largest voluntary bar association in the United States.-History:The State Bar was founded with a constitution that dates to 1877...
.
Burlingham was a prominent participant in New York City judicial and electoral politics, and his influence was instrumental in beginning the legal careers of, among others, Benjamin Cardozo and Learned Hand
Learned Hand
Billings Learned Hand was a United States judge and judicial philosopher. He served on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and later the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit...
. He was also a friend and close adviser to New York City Mayor
Mayor of New York City
The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
Fiorello LaGuardia.
From 1929 to 1931, Burlingham served as president of the New York City Bar Association.
Books
- Martin, George. “CCB: The Life and Century of Charles C. Burlingham, New York’s First Citizen.” New York, NY: Hill and Wang, 2005. ISBN 080907317X
Newspapers
- “Charles Burlingham Dies at 100; Lawyer Fought for Civic Reform.” The New York Times. June 8, 1959.
- Felix Frankfurter. “A Legal Tryptic.” The Harvard Law Review. Vol. 74, No. 3. January 1961.
- “98 YEARS NEARING FOR BURLINGHAM; Lawyer and Civic Leader in High Spirits in Comment on Birthday Tomorrow.” The New York Times. August 30, 1956.
- “Mr. Burlingham’s Centennial.” The New York Times. August 31, 1958.
- “Puts Titanic Suits Under Limited Law.” The New York Times. May 26, 1914.