Robert Lee Russell

Robert E. Lee Russell (August 19, 1900 – January 18, 1955) was a United States federal judge. His father, Richard Russell, Sr., was the Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, and his brother, Richard Russell, Jr., served as Governor of Georgia and a United States Senator. He was named in honor of Confederate Army General, Robert E. Lee.

Early life and career

Born in Winder, Georgia, Russell attended the University of Georgia School of Law, completed his studies by reading law, and was admitted to the bar in 1920. He was in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia from 1920 to 1923. He was secretary to his father, the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia from 1923 to 1929, thereafter returning to private practice in Winder, Georgia until 1940.

Federal Judge

On August 5, 1940, Russell was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia created by 54 Stat. 219. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 8, 1940, and received his commission on August 15, 1940. He served as chief judge in 1949.

On October 15, 1949, Russell was nominated by President Harry S. Truman to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated by Samuel Hale Sibley. Russell was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 19, 1949, and received his commission on October 21, 1949.

Death

Russell served as an active judge on the Court of Appeals capacity until his death, on January 18, 1955.

Sources

• Robert Lee Russell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.