Charles T. McCormick
Encyclopedia
Charles Tilford McCormick (29 June 1889 - 22 December 1963) was an American
university professor.
in 1889. He studied at the University of Texas at Austin
, graduating in 1909. He received a Law
degree from Harvard Law School
in 1912.
He was a professor in the School of Law at the University of North Carolina
(1926-1931) and Northwestern University
(1931-1940). He was Dean of the University of North Carolina's School of Law from 1927 to 1931.
He became involved in the civil rights movement
because of several activists' attempts to attain entrance to the then-all-white university. The university's response was to create a colored section of the Law School, with McCormick as Dean.
He was a member of the American Law Institute
, the Philosophical Society of Texas, and served as president of the Association of American Law Schools
.
on 22 December 1963 at age 74, while still on the university staff. He left his voluminous papers to the University libraries.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
university professor.
Early life and education
McCormick was born in Dallas, TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
in 1889. He studied at the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
, graduating in 1909. He received a Law
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 Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
in 1912.
Teaching career
McCormick was a professor in the School of Law at the Austin campus of University of Texas (1922-1926 and 1940-1963). During his second tenure there he also served as Dean of the College from 1940-1949.He was a professor in the School of Law at the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina
Chartered in 1789, the University of North Carolina was one of the first public universities in the United States and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century...
(1926-1931) and Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
(1931-1940). He was Dean of the University of North Carolina's School of Law from 1927 to 1931.
Legacy
During his tenure as dean, McCormick led the UT Law School through the difficult war years, won approval for a new building, and is widely credited for his efforts to improve the curriculum, the faculty, and the school's national reputation. He was an authority on evidence, damages, and federal court procedure, and published extensively in those areas.He became involved in the civil rights movement
African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968)
The African-American Civil Rights Movement refers to the movements in the United States aimed at outlawing racial discrimination against African Americans and restoring voting rights to them. This article covers the phase of the movement between 1955 and 1968, particularly in the South...
because of several activists' attempts to attain entrance to the then-all-white university. The university's response was to create a colored section of the Law School, with McCormick as Dean.
Writings and committee service
McCormick authored the 1935 classic, Handbook on the Law of Damages, which continues to be cited in legal opinions as authority. His Handbook on the Law of Evidence remains in print (now edited by a group of professors) and is a standard resource for lawyers and law students.He was a member of 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...
, the Philosophical Society of Texas, and served as president of the Association of American Law Schools
Association of American Law Schools
The Association of American Law Schools is a non-profit organization of 170 law schools in the United States. Another 25 schools are "non-member fee paid" schools, which are not members but choose to pay AALS dues. Its purpose is to improve the legal profession through the improvement of legal...
.
Death
McCormick died at Austin, TexasAustin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
on 22 December 1963 at age 74, while still on the university staff. He left his voluminous papers to the University libraries.