For the Distinguished Service Cross recipient, see Edward Becker (United States Army).
| Edward Roy Becker | |
|---|---|
| Chief Judge of United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit | |
| In office 1998–2003 |
|
| Preceded by | Dolores Sloviter |
| Succeeded by | Anthony Joseph Scirica |
| Judge of United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit | |
| In office 1981–2003 |
|
| Nominated by | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Max Rosenn |
| Succeeded by | Franklin Stuart Van Antwerpen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 4, 1933 Philadelphia, PA |
| Died | May 19, 2006 Philadelphia, PA |
Edward Roy Becker (May 4, 1933 – May 19, 2006) was a United States federal judge on the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Becker received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1954, and his LL.B. from Yale Law School in 1957. He had a private law practice in Philadelphia from 1957 to 1970.
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Becker's career as a federal judge began with his nomination to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He was nominated by President Richard M. Nixon on September 24, 1970 to a new seat created by 84 Stat. 294, was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 8, 1970 and received his commission on October 14, 1970. His service terminated on January 22, 1982 due to his elevation to the Third Circuit.
Ronald Reagan nominated Becker on November 16, 1981 to the Third Circuit seat vacated by Max Rosenn. Becker was confirmed by the Senate on December 3, 1981 and received his commission on the same day. He served as Chief Judge from 1998 to 2003.[1] He assumed senior status on May 4, 2003.
Becker was known for the case Mackensworth v. American Trading Transportation Co. a decision that he wrote in verse.[2] He was also known for occasionally inserting humor into judicial rulings.[3]
In 2003, Becker authored the decision on Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia v. Chester County, ruling that the display of Ten Commandments outside of a courthouse of Chester County did not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.[4]
Becker died May 19, 2006.[5]