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William Thornberry

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William Thornberry
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Nonpartisan
Prior offices:
United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit
Years in office: 1978 - 1995

Years in office: 1965 - 1978

United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
Years in office: 1963 - 1965
Education
Bachelor's
University of Texas, 1932
Law
University of Texas School of Law, 1936
Personal
Birthplace
Austin, TX


William Homer Thornberry (1909-1995) was a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit and the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.

Early life and education

  • University of Texas, B.B.A., 1932
  • University of Texas School of Law, LL.B., 1936[1]

Professional career

  • Private practice, Austin, Texas, 1936-1941
  • Member, Texas State House of Representatives, 1937-1941
  • District attorney, Travis County, Texas, 1941-1942
  • U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander, 1942-1946
  • Private practice, Austin, Texas, 1946-1948
  • Member, City Council, Austin, Texas, 1946-1948
  • U.S. Representative from Texas, 1949-1963[1]

Judicial career

Fifth Circuit

Thornberry was nominated to the Fifth Circuit by President Lyndon Johnson on June 22, 1965, to a seat vacated by Joseph Chappell Hutcheson Jr.; he was confirmed by the Senate on July 1, 1965, and received commission that same day. He assumed senior status on December 21, 1978. He served the Fifth Circuit until his death on December 12, 1995.[1]

Western District of Texas

Thornberry was nominated to the Western District of Texas by President John F. Kennedy on July 9, 1963, to a seat vacated by Robert E. Thomason; he was confirmed by the Senate on July 15, 1963, and received commission on December 17, 1963. He served the Western District of Texas until he was elevated to the Fifth Circuit on July 2, 1965.[1] Thornberry was succeeded in this position by Jack Roberts.

External links

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by:
Robert Thomason
Western District of Texas
1963–1965
Seat #2
Succeeded by:
Jack Roberts
Preceded by:
Joseph Chappell Hutcheson Jr.
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
1965–1995
Succeeded by:
Reynaldo Garza