Elbert Tuttle
Encyclopedia
Elbert Parr Tuttle one of the "Fifth Circuit Four
", and a liberal Republican
from Georgia
, was chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
from 1960 to 1967, when that court became known for a series of decisions crucial in advancing the civil rights of African-Americans. At that time, the Fifth Circuit included not only Louisiana
, Mississippi
, and Texas
(its jurisdiction ), but also Alabama
, Georgia, Florida
, and the Panama Canal Zone
.
Tuttle was born in Pasadena, California
. In 1906, his family moved to Hawaii
where he attended high school. In October 1910 together with his brother Malcolm he built and flew the first glider in Hawaii. Tuttle then attended Cornell University
(graduating in 1918), and fought in World War I
, serving as a United States Army
Air Service Private from 1918 to 1919. Tuttle was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha
Fraternity
and the Sphinx Head Society.
Tuttle received an LL.B. from Cornell Law School
in 1923. He was a reporter for the New York Evening World for several years while going though law school. After graduating from law school, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia
to practice law with the law firm of Sutherland, Tuttle & Brennan from 1923 to 1953. (The firm is today named Sutherland Asbill & Brennan
.)
Tuttle mainly worked on tax litigation, but also did pro bono work and worked with the American Civil Liberties Union
, including doing numerous civil rights cases. Tuttle served as a Colonel in the United States Army
Colonel from 1941 to 1946, in World War II
, engaging in hand to hand combat in Okinawa. He was awarded numerous medals for his service including the Purple Heart
with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit
, the Bronze Star
, and the Bronze Service Arrowhead.
After the War, Tuttle became more involved in politics, working with the Republican Party due to his opposition to segregation
. He was a General counsel, U.S. Treasury Department from 1953 to 1954. He was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
on July 7, 1954, to a new Fifth Circuit seat created by 68 Stat. 871; he was confirmed by the United States Senate
on August 3, 1954, and received commission on August 4, 1954. He served as chief judge, 1960–67, and then assumed senior status
. On October 1, 1981, Tuttle was transferred to the new Eleventh Circuit, and continued to serve as a senior
judge
until his death on June 23, 1996. The Elbert P. Tuttle U.S. Court of Appeals Building was named in his honor in 1989.
During his tenure, Tuttle had a role in many cases involving the enforcement of civil rights in the South. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
in 1981. The Honorable Elbert Tuttle also has a star on Atlanta's Civil Rights Walk of Fame.
Fifth Circuit Four
The "Fifth Circuit Four" were four judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit who, during the late 1950s, became known for a series of decisions crucial in advancing the civil rights of African Americans; in this they were opposed by fellow fifth-circuit judge Ben Cameron,...
", and a liberal Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
from Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, was chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* Eastern District of Louisiana* Middle District of Louisiana...
from 1960 to 1967, when that court became known for a series of decisions crucial in advancing the civil rights of African-Americans. At that time, the Fifth Circuit included not only Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, and Texas
Texas
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...
(its jurisdiction ), but also Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, Georgia, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, and the Panama Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
.
Tuttle was born in Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
. In 1906, his family moved to Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
where he attended high school. In October 1910 together with his brother Malcolm he built and flew the first glider in Hawaii. Tuttle then attended Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
(graduating in 1918), and fought in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, serving as a United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Air Service Private from 1918 to 1919. Tuttle was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha
Pi Kappa Alpha
Pi Kappa Alpha is a Greek social fraternity with over 230 chapters and colonies and over 250,000 lifetime initiates in the United States and Canada.-History:...
Fraternity
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
and the Sphinx Head Society.
Tuttle received an LL.B. from Cornell Law School
Cornell Law School
Cornell Law School, located in Ithaca, New York, is a graduate school of Cornell University and one of the five Ivy League law schools. The school confers three law degrees...
in 1923. He was a reporter for the New York Evening World for several years while going though law school. After graduating from law school, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
to practice law with the law firm of Sutherland, Tuttle & Brennan from 1923 to 1953. (The firm is today named Sutherland Asbill & Brennan
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, rebranded to the abbreviated name of Sutherland, is an AmLaw 100 American law firm. Founded in 1924 by William Sutherland and Elbert Tuttle as Sutherland & Tuttle, the firm originally achieved national prominence on tax issues...
.)
Tuttle mainly worked on tax litigation, but also did pro bono work and worked with the American Civil Liberties Union
American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union is a U.S. non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It works through litigation, legislation, and...
, including doing numerous civil rights cases. Tuttle served as a Colonel in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Colonel from 1941 to 1946, in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, engaging in hand to hand combat in Okinawa. He was awarded numerous medals for his service including the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, and the Bronze Service Arrowhead.
After the War, Tuttle became more involved in politics, working with the Republican Party due to his opposition to segregation
Racial segregation
Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home...
. He was a General counsel, U.S. Treasury Department from 1953 to 1954. He was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
on July 7, 1954, to a new Fifth Circuit seat created by 68 Stat. 871; he 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 3, 1954, and received commission on August 4, 1954. He served as chief judge, 1960–67, and then 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 1, 1981, Tuttle was transferred to the new Eleventh Circuit, and continued to serve as a senior
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...
judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
until his death on June 23, 1996. The Elbert P. Tuttle U.S. Court of Appeals Building was named in his honor in 1989.
During his tenure, Tuttle had a role in many cases involving the enforcement of civil rights in the South. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with thecomparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award in the United States...
in 1981. The Honorable Elbert Tuttle also has a star on Atlanta's Civil Rights Walk of Fame.