This collection contains personal papers, letters, speeches, legal documents, portraits, diplomas, and licensing from the life of Edward T. Sanford.
Click here for the Guide to the papers of Edward T. Sanford, 1883-1930, mpa.303 / ms.0204. Collection location: row 11, box 10.
Edward Terry Sanford was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on July 23, 1865. He earned degrees from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 1883 and from Harvard University in 1885 and 1889. He practiced law privately from 1890 through 1907, the last nine years of which he also lectured at the University of Tennessee School of Law. Among his many civic and educational duties, Sanford held the position of President of the Alumni Association and was a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tennessee.
For two years beginning in 1905, Sanford was the Special Assistant to the Attorney General of the United States but was then chosen to be the Assistant Attorney General of the United States from 1907 through 1908. In 1908, Sanford was nominated and commissioned as the United States District Court Judge of Eastern and Middle Tennessee and held that position until he was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1923. He held this final position until his unexpected death on March 8, 1930.