Abram Penn Staples

Abram Penn Staples
Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia
In office
October 7, 1947 – January 15, 1951
Preceded by George L. Browning
Succeeded by Lemuel F. Smith
24th Attorney General of Virginia
In office
March 22, 1934 – October 7, 1947
Preceded by John R. Saunders
Succeeded by Harvey B. Apperson
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 21st district
In office
January 11, 1928 – March 22, 1934
Preceded by R. Holman Willis
Succeeded by Harvey B. Apperson
Personal details
Born Abram Penn Staples
September 18, 1885
Martinsville, Virginia, U.S.
Died March 21, 1951 (aged 65)
Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Jean Duncan Watts
Alma mater Washington & Lee University
Religion Episcopalian

Abram Penn Staples (September 18, 1885 – March 21, 1951) was born at Martinsville, Virginia. During his childhood, his family moved to Roanoke, where he attended Roanoke High School. He then entered Washington and Lee University, where he received a Bachelor of Law degree in 1908. Entering into practice at Roanoke in 1908, he soon made a name for himself as an exceptional lawyer. In 1924, he was elected President of the Roanoke Bar Association and, in 1927, was elected to the Virginia Senate, being re-elected in 1931.[1] He was appointed Attorney General of Virginia in March 1934 to fill out the term of John R. Saunders and was subsequently elected to that office in 1937 against Republican Gerould M. Rumble. He was reelected in 1941 and 1945. In August 1947, he was elected to the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia and served on that court until he retired in January 1951, as a result of failing health. Staples was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Delta Phi, and Omicron Delta Kappa.

References

  1. ↑ Journal of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Virginia: Session 1928. Richmond: Virginia State Library. 1920.

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