Samuel D. Weakley

Samuel Davies Weakley Jr. (July 16, 1860 – February 14, 1921) was American jurist who served as chief justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama in 1906.

Born in Morgan County, Alabama, Weakley attended a prep school in Florence, Alabama, graduating from Florence State Normal School in 1879. He taught school in Lauderdale County, Alabama for a few months while reading law, in order to be admitted to the Alabama Bar in 1880. He then relocated to Memphis, Tennessee and entered legal practice, serving a four-year term as assistant attorney general for Shelby County. He returned to Alabama in 1887, practicing law in Birmingham.[1]

Following the death of Alabama Chief Justice Thomas N. McClellan, Governor William D. Jelks appointed Weakley as his successor in February 1906.[2] That fall, Associate Justice John R. Tyson challenged Weakley for his position, winning the election, leading Weakley to retire in November 1906.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Samuel Davies Weakley, Jr" (PDF). Alabama Supreme Court and Law Library. 2022.
  2. ^ "Chief Justice Weakley Sworn in to High Office by Young Woman". The Montgomery Advertiser. February 23, 1906.
  3. ^ "Weakley Ends Work on Bench: Chief Justice Retires from Court". The Montgomery Advertiser. November 16, 1906.