Francis Biddle

Date of Birth: May 9, 1886

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: October 4, 1968

Biography

Francis Beverley Biddle was an influential American lawyer and judge, renowned for his service as the Attorney General of the United States and as a primary American judge during the Nuremberg Trials post-World War II. Born into a well-established family, Biddle graduated from Groton School and later from Harvard University in 1909, followed by Harvard Law School in 1911. He began his legal career by clerking for Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., which made a significant impact on his professional trajectory. Biddle’s career spanned several important roles, including serving as Chairman of the National Labor Relations Board from 1934 to 1935, and as the United States Solicitor General from 1940 to 1941. His tenure as Attorney General under President Franklin D. Roosevelt from 1941 to 1945 was marked by his involvement in the administration’s wartime policies, including controversial decisions regarding Japanese American internment. After his tenure as Attorney General, Biddle was appointed as a judge at the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg, where he helped prosecute major Nazi war criminals. His work at Nuremberg was critical in establishing precedents for international law and war crimes prosecution.

5 Interesting Facts about Francis Biddle

1. Francis Biddle was a direct descendant of the prominent Biddle family, which included Nicholas Biddle, the president of the Second Bank of the United States.

2. He served as a private secretary to Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., which greatly influenced his judicial philosophy.

3. Biddle played a crucial role in the decision to intern Japanese Americans during World War II, a decision he later regretted.

4. He was appointed to the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg by President Harry S. Truman in 1945.

5. Biddle authored several books, including his autobiography “A Casual Past” and “In Brief Authority,” which detailed his experiences during the Roosevelt administration and the Nuremberg Trials.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Francis Biddle

1. “The Constitution has not greatly bothered any wartime President.”

2. “Society has a right to protect itself, but not at the expense of its own ideals.”

3. “The Nuremberg Trial will stand as a landmark in the history of civilized justice.”

4. “The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without.”

5. “In war, the first casualty is truth.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Francis Biddle’s highest net worth is not well-documented, reflective of the era and his career in public service rather than private enterprise. However, his influence and impact were substantial in the legal and political realms.

Children

Francis Biddle had two sons, Edmund Randolph Biddle and G. Randolph Biddle. His family life remained relatively private, with his children largely staying out of the public eye.