H. Emory Widener, Jr.

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Judge H. Emory Widener Jr. was born in 1923 in Virginia. He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1944 and has served in the Navy. In 1953 he received his law degree from Washington and Lee University. In 1969, he was appointed to be District Judge for the Western District of Virginiaby President Nixon where he served as Chief Judge between 1971-72). In 1972 he was elevated to the Fourth Circuit by President Nixon.

Judge Widener has announced his intent to take senior status upon confirmation of his successor. William Haynes had been nominated to succeed Judge Widener was not confirmed. In January, 2007, it was announced that William Haynes had withdrawn his candidacy for nomination to replace Judge Widener on the Fourth Circuit. He had long been opposed by Democrats and a few Republicans, and with the Democrats having regained control of the Senate, his chances for confirmation appeared to have diminished even more so.

As of 2007, Judge Widener is the longest serving appellate still in active service.