Pierce Butler


Butler, Pierce,

1866–1939, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1923–39), b. Dakota co., Minn. Admitted (1888) to the bar, he practiced in St. Paul, specialized in railroad law, and became an expert in railroad-valuation cases, serving (1913–22) both the U.S. and Canadian governments. On the Supreme Court, to which he was appointed by President Harding, he was generally considered a conservative.

Bibliography

See D. J. Danelski, A Supreme Court Justice Is Appointed (1964).

Butler, Pierce

(1866–1939) Supreme Court justice; born near Northfield, Minn. In his private law practice (1897–1922), he gained prominence as an expert in railroad law. He was appointed by President Harding to the U.S. Supreme Court (1923–39) and often voted against government interference in business.