Bell, Griffin B.

Bell, Griffin B. (Boyette)

(1918– ) lawyer, judge, U.S. attorney general; born in Americus, Ga. Partner in the Atlanta law firm King & Spalding (1953–61), he appeared to hold the views of conservative white Southerners on racial issues. Appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals (1961–76), he ruled on many school desegregation cases and was generally regarded as a moderate. A controversial appointee as President Carter's attorney general (1977–81), he again proved to be a moderate. He resumed corporation law in Atlanta.