Phil S. Gibson
Encyclopedia
Phil Sheridan Gibson was the 22nd Chief Justice of California.
on November 28, 1888. He was the son of W. J. (William Jesse) and Mollie (Huntsman) Gibson. He attended the University of Missouri
, graduating in 1912 with both an AB and LLB. He moved to Los Angeles
in 1922, establishing a practice and becoming active in Democratic politics. He served as a campaign advisor to Culbert Olson
in 1938, and the governor rewarded him with the position of Director of Finance, and then in 1939, with an appointment to the Supreme Court of California
. He served as Chief Justice from 1940 to 1964.
Gibson's lengthy tenure was notable for his efforts to modernize the administration of the courts, to set up a mechanism to remove unfit judges, and to supply the Supreme Court with a staff of research attorneys. Gibson's court was highly respected nationally, both for Gibson's opinions and for those of Justice Roger J. Traynor
.
Gibson died in Monterey County, California
on April 28, 1984.
Biography
Gibson was born in Grant City, MissouriGrant City, Missouri
Grant City is a city in Worth County in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 926 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a town. It is the county seat of Worth County.-Geography:Grant City is located at...
on November 28, 1888. He was the son of W. J. (William Jesse) and Mollie (Huntsman) Gibson. He attended the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
, graduating in 1912 with both an AB and LLB. He moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in 1922, establishing a practice and becoming active in Democratic politics. He served as a campaign advisor to Culbert Olson
Culbert Olson
Culbert Levy Olson was an American lawyer and politician. A Democrat, Olson was involved in Utah and California politics and was elected as the 29th Governor of California from 1939 to 1943.-Personal background:...
in 1938, and the governor rewarded him with the position of Director of Finance, and then in 1939, with an appointment to the Supreme Court of California
Supreme Court of California
The Supreme Court of California is the highest state court in California. It is headquartered in San Francisco and regularly holds sessions in Los Angeles and Sacramento. Its decisions are binding on all other California state courts.-Composition:...
. He served as Chief Justice from 1940 to 1964.
Gibson's lengthy tenure was notable for his efforts to modernize the administration of the courts, to set up a mechanism to remove unfit judges, and to supply the Supreme Court with a staff of research attorneys. Gibson's court was highly respected nationally, both for Gibson's opinions and for those of Justice Roger J. Traynor
Roger J. Traynor
Roger John Traynor served as the 23rd Chief Justice of California from 1964 to 1970, and as an Associate Justice from 1940 to 1964...
.
Gibson died in Monterey County, California
Monterey County, California
Monterey County is a county located on the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California, its northwestern section forming the southern half of Monterey Bay. The northern half of the bay is in Santa Cruz County. As of 2010, the population was 415,057. The county seat and largest city is Salinas...
on April 28, 1984.