James H. Duff
Encyclopedia
James Henderson Duff was an American lawyer
and politician
in the mid-20th century. He served as the 34th Governor of Pennsylvania (1947–1951) and U.S. senator
from Pennsylvania
(1951–1957).
Duff was active in politics throughout his adult life, but did not become a political candidate until 1942, after 35 years as a partner in the Pittsburgh
law firm of Duff, Scott & Smith. He successfully ran for Attorney General
of Pennsylvania, and took office in 1943. Four years later, he ran and won as the Republican candidate for governor.
Duff was elected to the United States Senate
from Pennsylvania
in 1950. After losing the 1956 senatorial election to Democrat Joseph Clark
in one of the closest elections in Pennsylvania history, Duff retired from politics, but remained in Washington, D.C.
as a partner in the law firm of Davies, Richberg, Tydings, Landa & Duff. He died in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Carnegie, Pennsylvania
.
Duff was a native of Mansfield (now Carnegie), Pennsylvania. He received a bachelor's degree from Princeton University
in 1904 and his law degree
from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law
in 1907. He married Jean Taylor on October 26, 1909. In 1929, he helped found the Mt. Lebanon
community of Virginia Manor.
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...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
in the mid-20th century. He served as the 34th Governor of Pennsylvania (1947–1951) and U.S. senator
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...
from Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
(1951–1957).
Duff was active in politics throughout his adult life, but did not become a political candidate until 1942, after 35 years as a partner in the Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
law firm of Duff, Scott & Smith. He successfully ran for Attorney General
State Attorney General
The state attorney general in each of the 50 U.S. states and territories is the chief legal advisor to the state government and the state's chief law enforcement officer. In some states, the attorney general serves as the head of a state department of justice, with responsibilities similar to those...
of Pennsylvania, and took office in 1943. Four years later, he ran and won as the Republican candidate for governor.
Duff was elected to 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...
from Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in 1950. After losing the 1956 senatorial election to Democrat Joseph Clark
Joseph S. Clark
Joseph Sill Clark, Jr. was a U.S. lawyer and Democratic Party politician in the mid-20th century. He served as the mayor of Philadelphia from 1952 until 1956, and as a United States Senator from Pennsylvania from 1957 until 1969...
in one of the closest elections in Pennsylvania history, Duff retired from politics, but remained in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
as a partner in the law firm of Davies, Richberg, Tydings, Landa & Duff. He died in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Carnegie, Pennsylvania
Carnegie, Pennsylvania
Carnegie is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 7,972 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Carnegie is located at . It is approximately southwest of Pittsburgh...
.
Duff was a native of Mansfield (now Carnegie), Pennsylvania. He received a bachelor's degree from Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
in 1904 and his law degree
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...
from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law
University of Pittsburgh School of Law
The University of Pittsburgh School of Law was founded in 1895, and became a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools in 1900...
in 1907. He married Jean Taylor on October 26, 1909. In 1929, he helped found the Mt. Lebanon
Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Mt. Lebanon is a home rule municipality, formerly a township, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 33,137 at the 2010 census....
community of Virginia Manor.