Richard Bevan Austin
Encyclopedia
Richard Bevan Austin was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Austin received a Ph.B. from Denison University
in 1923 and a J.D.
from the University of Chicago Law School
in 1926. He was in private practice in Chicago from 1926 to 1933, and again from 1948 to 1952, having served as an assistant state's attorney of Cook County, Illinois
from 1933 to 1947, and as a first assistant state's attorney of Cook County from 1947 to 1948 and from 1952 to 1953. He was an acting state's attorney of Cook County from 1947 to 1948, and a special prosecutor from 1951 to 1952. He was a judge on the Superior Court of Cook County from 1953 to 1960. He was chief justice of the Criminal Court of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois from 1954 to 1955, running unsuccessfully as the Democratic nominee for Governor of Illinois
in 1956, and again served as chief justice of the court from 1960 to 1961.
On August 7, 1961, Austin was nominated by President John F. Kennedy
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
vacated by Walter J. LaBuy
. Austin was confirmed by the United States Senate
on August 15, 1961, and received his commission the same day. He assumed senior status
on October 10, 1975, serving in that capacity until his death, in 1977, in Chicago.
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 Chicago, Illinois, Austin received a Ph.B. from Denison University
Denison University
Denison University is private, coeducational, and residential college of liberal arts and sciences founded in 1831. It is located in Granville, Ohio, United States, approximately 30 miles east of Columbus, the state capital...
in 1923 and a J.D.
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 Chicago Law School
University of Chicago Law School
The University of Chicago Law School was founded in 1902 as the graduate school of law at the University of Chicago and is among the most prestigious and selective law schools in the world. The U.S. News & World Report currently ranks it fifth among U.S...
in 1926. He was in private practice in Chicago from 1926 to 1933, and again from 1948 to 1952, having served as an assistant state's attorney of Cook County, Illinois
Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
from 1933 to 1947, and as a first assistant state's attorney of Cook County from 1947 to 1948 and from 1952 to 1953. He was an acting state's attorney of Cook County from 1947 to 1948, and a special prosecutor from 1951 to 1952. He was a judge on the Superior Court of Cook County from 1953 to 1960. He was chief justice of the Criminal Court of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois from 1954 to 1955, running unsuccessfully as the Democratic nominee for Governor of Illinois
Governor of Illinois
The Governor of Illinois is the chief executive of the State of Illinois and the various agencies and departments over which the officer has jurisdiction, as prescribed in the state constitution. It is a directly elected position, votes being cast by popular suffrage of residents of the state....
in 1956, and again served as chief justice of the court from 1960 to 1961.
On August 7, 1961, Austin was nominated by President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is the trial-level court with jurisdiction over the northern counties of Illinois....
vacated by Walter J. LaBuy
Walter J. LaBuy
Walter J. LaBuy was a United States federal judge.Born in Dodge County, Wisconsin, LaBuy received an LL.B. from DePaul University College of Law in 1912. He was in private practice in Chicago, Illinois from 1912 to 1933. He was a member of the Board of Commissioners, Cook County, Illinois from...
. Austin 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 August 15, 1961, and received his commission the same day. He 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 October 10, 1975, serving in that capacity until his death, in 1977, in Chicago.