Henry Augustus Middleton Smith
Encyclopedia
Henry Augustus Middleton Smith (April 30, 1853 – November 23, 1924) was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Charleston, South Carolina
, Smith received a B.A.
from College of Charleston
in 1872 and read law to enter the bar in 1874. He was in private practice in Charleston, South Carolina
from 1877 to 1911.
On May 25, 1911, Smith was nominated by President William H. Taft to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
vacated by William H. Brawley
. Smith was confirmed by the United States Senate
on June 7, 1911, and received his commission the same day.
On January 1, 1912, the District of South Carolina was subdivided, and Smith was reassigned by operation of law
to the newly created Eastern and Western Districts. On March 3, 1915, he was again reassigned, this time to serve only on the Eastern District. Smith assumed senior status
on November 23, 1923, serving in that capacity until his death, exactly one year later.
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....
.
Born in Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, Smith 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 College of Charleston
College of Charleston
The College of Charleston is a public, sea-grant and space-grant university located in historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina, United States...
in 1872 and read law to enter the bar in 1874. He was in private practice in Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
from 1877 to 1911.
On May 25, 1911, Smith was nominated by President William H. Taft to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
The United States District Court for the District of South Carolina is the federal district court whose jurisdiction is the state of South Carolina...
vacated by William H. Brawley
William H. Brawley
William Huggins Brawley was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina and later a United States federal judge...
. Smith 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 June 7, 1911, and received his commission the same day.
On January 1, 1912, the District of South Carolina was subdivided, and Smith was reassigned by operation of law
Operation of law
The phrase "by operation of law" is a legal term that indicates that a right or liability has been created for a party, irrespective of the intent of that party, because it is dictated by existing legal principles. For example, if a person dies without a will, his heirs are determined by operation...
to the newly created Eastern and Western Districts. On March 3, 1915, he was again reassigned, this time to serve only on the Eastern District. Smith assumed 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 November 23, 1923, serving in that capacity until his death, exactly one year later.