Richard C.L. Moncure was born in Stafford County, Virginia, in 1805. He received his early education in the local schools and supplemented his education with extensive reading. After being admitted to the bar in 1825, he practiced in Fredericksburg and surrounding counties. In 1849, he entered politics and was elected to the legislature. Re was appointed to the Court of Appeals in 1851 but, when the state constitution was changed that year, it became necessary to be elected to the court. He was one of the five judges elected under the new constitution and became president of the court in l865. His tenure of office was temporarily suspended, however, during the reconstruction period, from 1865 to 1870, but he was again elected in 1870 with the adoption of the new constitution and again became president of the court. He remained on the Court of Appeals until his death on August 26, 1882.