Thomas Whitfield Davidson
Encyclopedia
Thomas Whitfield Davidson (September 23, 1876 – January 26, 1974) was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Harrison County, Texas
, Davidson read law to enter the bar in 1903. He was in private practice in Marshall, Texas
from 1903 to 1907. He was the city attorney of Marshall 1907 to 1914, thereafter resuming his private practice in Dallas, Texas
until 1920. He was a member of the Texas State Senate from 1920 to 1922, and was lieutenant governor of Texas
from 1922 to 1924. He then returned to private practice in Dallas until 1936.
On January 22, 1936, Davidson was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
vacated by Edward R. Meek. Davidson was confirmed by the United States Senate
on January 30, 1936, and received his commission on February 5, 1936. He served as chief judge from 1954 to 1959, and assumed senior status
on November 1, 1965, holding that position until his death, in 1974.
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 Harrison County, Texas
Harrison County, Texas
Harrison County is a county of the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 62,110. It is named for Jonas Harrison, a lawyer and Texas revolutionary. It is located in the Ark-La-Tex region...
, Davidson read law to enter the bar in 1903. He was in private practice in Marshall, Texas
Marshall, Texas
Marshall is a city in Harrison County in the northeastern corner of Texas. Marshall is a major cultural and educational center in East Texas and the tri-state area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Marshall was about 23,523...
from 1903 to 1907. He was the city attorney of Marshall 1907 to 1914, thereafter resuming his private practice in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
until 1920. He was a member of the Texas State Senate from 1920 to 1922, and was lieutenant governor of 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...
from 1922 to 1924. He then returned to private practice in Dallas until 1936.
On January 22, 1936, Davidson was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas is a United States district court. Its first judge, Andrew Phelps McCormick, was appointed to the court on April 10, 1879. The court convenes in Dallas, Texas with divisions in Fort Worth, Amarillo, Abilene, Lubbock, San Angelo...
vacated by Edward R. Meek. Davidson 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 January 30, 1936, and received his commission on February 5, 1936. He served as chief judge from 1954 to 1959, and 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 November 1, 1965, holding that position until his death, in 1974.