William D. Mitchell
William DeWitt Mitchell (September 9, 1874 – August 24, 1955) was an American attorney who had served as both Solicitor General of the United States under President Calvin Coolidge and United States Attorney General under President Herbert Hoover.
William D. Mitchell | |
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54th United States Attorney General | |
In office March 4, 1929 – March 4, 1933 | |
President | Herbert Hoover |
Preceded by | John G. Sargent |
Succeeded by | Homer Cummings |
18th United States Solicitor General | |
In office June 4, 1925 – March 4, 1929 | |
President | Calvin Coolidge |
Preceded by | James M. Beck |
Succeeded by | Charles Evans Hughes Jr. |
Personal details | |
Born | William DeWitt Mitchell September 9, 1874 Winona, Minnesota, U.S. |
Died | August 24, 1955 80) Syosset, New York, U.S. | (aged
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Gertrude Bancroft |
Children | 2 |
Education | Yale University University of Minnesota (BA, LLB) |
Early life and education
Mitchell was born in Winona, Minnesota, to William B. Mitchell, a Minnesota Supreme Court Justice, and the former Frances Merritt. Mitchell originally attended Yale University where he studied electrical engineering before becoming interested in law.
After attending Yale for two years, Mitchell transferred to the University of Minnesota, where he received his A.B. degree in 1895 and a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Afterwards, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota Law School where he received his LL.B. degree in 1896. Shortly after graduating from law school, Mitchell was admitted to the Minnesota State Bar Association and practiced law in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He married the former Gertrude Bancroft on June 27, 1901. They had two sons: William and Bancroft Mitchell.
Career
He formed the law firm of How, Taylor & Mitchell, which became prominent in the Midwest. This prestige allowed Mitchell access to both the regional council of the U.S. Railroad Administration in 1919, and then he served as chairman of the Citizens Charter Committee of St. Paul in 1922.
Combined with Mitchell's service as an infantry officer during the Spanish–American War and World War I, this placed him in position to be appointed to the position of Solicitor General of the United States. Having served well in his position, President Hoover appointed him Attorney General of the United States from March 4, 1929, and he held that office until March 4, 1933, one of his principal acts having been to order the Bonus Army dispersed and their camp destroyed.
Later career
Mitchell then settled in New York City where he practiced law. He was named chairman of the Committee on Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and chief counsel of the joint congressional committee investigating the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Mitchell died there in Syosset, New York on August 24, 1955, at the age of 80.
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to William D. Mitchell. |
External links
- Media related to William D. Mitchell at Wikimedia Commons
- Profile from the Department of Justice
- William D. Mitchell at Find a Grave
Legal offices | ||
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Preceded by James M. Beck |
Solicitor General 1925–1929 |
Succeeded by Charles Evans Hughes, Jr. |
Preceded by John G. Sargent |
U.S. Attorney General Served under: Herbert Hoover 1929–1933 |
Succeeded by Homer S. Cummings |