Richard S. Whaley

Richard Smith Whaley (July 15, 1874 – November 8, 1951) was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina, and chief justice of the United States Court of Claims.

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Whaley attended the Episcopal High School, in Alexandria, Virginia, and was graduated from the law department of the University of Virginia, where he was a member of St. Anthony Hall, in 1897. In 1896, Whaley served as the first head coach of the University of South Carolina football team.^[1] During his one season with the Gamecocks, he compiled an overall record of one win and three losses (1–3).^[2]

He was admitted to the bar in 1897 and commenced practice in Charleston, South Carolina. He served as member of the State house of representatives 1901-1910, 1913. He served as speaker from 1907 to 1910 and as speaker pro tempore in 1913. He was presiding officer of the Democratic State convention in 1910 and of the Democratic city convention in 1911. He served as delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1912 and 1920.

Whaley was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-third United States Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of George S. Legare. He was re-elected to the Sixty-fourth, Sixty-fifth, and Sixty-sixth Congresses and served from April 29, 1913, to March 3, 1921. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1920, and resumed the practice of law. He was appointed commissioner of the United States Court of Claims in 1925, appointed judge by President Herbert Hoover in 1930, and was designated chief justice in 1939. He retired as chief justice in 1947. He died in Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1951. He was interred in Magnolia Cemetery.

References

• Richard S. Whaley at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

• The United States Court of Claims : a history / pt. 1. The judges, 1855-1976 / by Marion T. Bennett / pt. 2. Origin, development, jurisdiction, 1855-1978 / W. Cowen, P. Nichols, M.T. Bennett. Washington, D.C.: Committee on the Bicentennial of Independence and the Constitution of the Judicial Conference of the United States. 1976.