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WILLIAM HOWARD
TAFT was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on September 15, 1857.
He was graduated from Yale University in 1878 and from
Cincinnati Law School in 1880. Taft began his career in
private practice in Cincinnati. After serving as an assistant
prosecutory and a Judge of the Ohio Superior Court, he
was appointed Solicitor General of the United States in
1890. From 1892 to 1900, Taft served as a Judge on the
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
In 1901, he was named Civilian Governor of the Philippines.
In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed Taft Secretary
of War. Taft as elected President of the United States
in 1908 and served one term. After leaving the White House,
Taft taught constitutional law at Yale University and
appeared frequently on the lecture circuit. From 1918
to 1919, he served as Joint Chairman of the War Labor
Board. President Warren G. Harding nominated Taft Chief
Justice of the United States on June 30, 1921. The senate
confirmed the appointment the same day, making Taft the
only person in history to have been both President and
Chief Justice. As Chief Justice he focused on the administration
of justice and at his request Congress created the Conference
of Senior Circuit (Chief) Judges to oversee court administration.
This body became the Judicial Conference of the United
States. Taft retired from the Court on February 3, 1930,
after serving eight years as Chief Justice. He died on
March 8, 1930, at the age of seventy-two. |
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