Sydney F. Foster
Encyclopedia
Sydney Francis Foster was an American lawyer and politician.
in 1911, and LL.B. from Syracuse University
Law School in 1915. In 1916, he became a special deputy county clerk of Madison County, and was admitted to the bar in 1917. In 1918, he went overseas, serving for two years in the Department of the Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Army, and left the Army with the rank of sergeant
. Afterwards he practiced law in Liberty
, and was elected District Attorney of Sullivan County, New York
, in 1925.
In 1928, he was elected to the New York Supreme Court
(3rd District). He sat on the Appellate Division (3rd Dept.)
from 1939 to 1942, and from 1944 on. He was Presiding Justice from 1949 on. In 1950, Syracuse University conferred an honarary degree of LL.D. on him.
In 1954, he ran on the Republican ticket for the New York Court of Appeals
, but was defeated by Democrat/Liberal Adrian P. Burke
.
On January 1, 1960, Foster was appointed by Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller
to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Charles S. Desmond
as Chief Judge
. In November 1960
, Foster he ran on the Republican and Liberal
tickets to succeed himself, and was elected. He retired from the Court of Appeals at the end of 1963 when he reached the constitutional age limit of 70 years, and returned to the Supreme Court as a certificated trial justice until 1967.
He died from a heart attack.
Life
He graduated from Cazenovia SeminaryCazenovia Seminary
Cazenovia Seminary was an academic seminary of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was located in Cazenovia, New York, U.S.A.. It was founded in 1825, at the instigation of George Peck and several other prominent clergymen in the area...
in 1911, and LL.B. from Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
Law School in 1915. In 1916, he became a special deputy county clerk of Madison County, and was admitted to the bar in 1917. In 1918, he went overseas, serving for two years in the Department of the Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Army, and left the Army with the rank of sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
. Afterwards he practiced law in Liberty
Liberty (village), New York
Liberty is a village in Sullivan County, New York, United States. The population was 3,975 at the 2000 census.The Village of Liberty is centrally located in the Town of Liberty and is adjacent to New York Route 17.- History :...
, and was elected District Attorney of Sullivan County, New York
Sullivan County, New York
Sullivan County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 77,547. The county seat is Monticello. The name is in honor of Major General John Sullivan, who was a hero in the American Revolutionary War...
, in 1925.
In 1928, he was elected to the New York Supreme Court
New York Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in thestate court system of New York, United States. There is a supreme court in each of New York State's 62 counties, although some smaller counties share judges with neighboring counties...
(3rd District). He sat on the Appellate Division (3rd Dept.)
New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
The Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division is the intermediate appellate court in New York State. The Appellate Division is composed of four departments .*The First Department covers the Bronx The Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division is the intermediate...
from 1939 to 1942, and from 1944 on. He was Presiding Justice from 1949 on. In 1950, Syracuse University conferred an honarary degree of LL.D. on him.
In 1954, he ran on the Republican ticket for the New York Court of Appeals
New York Court of Appeals
The New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in the U.S. state of New York. The Court of Appeals consists of seven judges: the Chief Judge and six associate judges who are appointed by the Governor to 14-year terms...
, but was defeated by Democrat/Liberal Adrian P. Burke
Adrian P. Burke
Adrian Paul Burke was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:...
.
On January 1, 1960, Foster was appointed by Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller
Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller was the 41st Vice President of the United States , serving under President Gerald Ford, and the 49th Governor of New York , as well as serving the Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower administrations in a variety of positions...
to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Charles S. Desmond
Charles S. Desmond
Charles Stewart Desmond , was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 1960 to 1966.-Life:...
as Chief Judge
Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals
Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals refers to the position of chief judge on the New York Court of Appeals.The chief judge supervises the seven-judge Court of Appeals...
. In November 1960
New York state election, 1960
The 1960 New York state election was held on November 8, 1960, to elect two judges of the New York Court of Appeals, as well as all members of the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate.-Background:...
, Foster he ran on the Republican and Liberal
Liberal Party of New York
The Liberal Party of New York is a minor American political party that has been active only in the state of New York. Its platform supports a standard set of social liberal policies: it supports right to abortion, increased spending on education, and universal health care.As of 2007, the Liberal...
tickets to succeed himself, and was elected. He retired from the Court of Appeals at the end of 1963 when he reached the constitutional age limit of 70 years, and returned to the Supreme Court as a certificated trial justice until 1967.
He died from a heart attack.
Sources
- The History of the New York Court of Appeals, 1932-2003 by Bernard S. MeyerBernard S. MeyerBernard Stern Meyer was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:...
, Burton C. Agata & Seth H. Agata (pages 24f) - http://www.courts.state.ny.us/history/elecbook/thereshallbe/pg100.htm Court of Appeals judges
- SYDNEY F. FOSTER, A RETIRED JUDGE; Member of the State Court of Appeals Dead at 80 in NYT on November 23, 1973 (subscription required)
- http://www.courts.state.ny.us/history/pdf/Library/Courts/App_Div_Third_Dept_100th_Anniv.pdf History of the Third Department, with portrait (page 26)
- http://www.nycourts.gov/history/elecbook/3d_dept_hist/pg13.htm Bio at Court History