Francis Biddle

Date of Birth: May 9, 1886

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: October 4, 1968

Biography

Francis Beverley Biddle (1886-1968) was a prominent American lawyer and judge who served as the United States Attorney General during World War II. Born into a family with deep roots in American history, Biddle’s grandfather, also named Francis Biddle, was a prominent banker and financier. Educated at Groton School and Harvard University, he graduated from Harvard Law School in 1911. Biddle’s legal career began in private practice, but he soon entered public service, working as a secretary to Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. from 1911 to 1912. He held various positions in government, including serving on the National Labor Relations Board and as Solicitor General of the United States from 1940 to 1941. In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Biddle as Attorney General, a position he held until 1945. During his tenure, he was involved in several significant cases and was a staunch defender of civil liberties, even during the challenging war years. After World War II, Biddle was appointed as the primary American judge at the Nuremberg Trials, where he played a crucial role in prosecuting major Nazi war criminals. Biddle was also an author, writing several books including his autobiography, “In Brief Authority,” which provides insights into his career and the historical events he witnessed. His contributions to American jurisprudence and international law remain significant, and he is remembered as a principled and dedicated public servant.

5 Interesting Facts about Francis Biddle

1. Francis Biddle served as the primary American judge at the Nuremberg Trials, where he was instrumental in the prosecution of major Nazi war criminals.

2. He was a secretary to Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., which significantly influenced his legal philosophy and career.

3. Biddle was a staunch defender of civil liberties, opposing the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, although he ultimately enforced the policy due to the prevailing government stance.

4. He wrote several books, including his autobiography “In Brief Authority,” which provides personal insights into his career and the historical events he was part of.

5. Biddle’s grandfather was also named Francis Biddle, a prominent banker and financier, illustrating a family legacy of public influence and service.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Francis Biddle

1. “The rule of law can be wiped out in one misguided, however well-intentioned, generation.”

2. “The Constitution recognizes higher values than speed and efficiency.”

3. “A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity.”

4. “Civil liberties are a luxury only when they are not threatened.”

5. “In times of war, the laws fall silent, but it is during such times that the law must be most vigilant.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Francis Biddle did not accumulate significant personal wealth compared to modern standards of net worth. His highest net worth is not well-documented but is estimated to be modest, primarily derived from his public service salary and book royalties.