Francis B. Carter
Francis Beauregard Carter (August 12, 1861 – January 9, 1937) was a justice of the Florida Supreme Court from January 11, 1897 to May 25, 1905.[1]
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Early life, education, and career
Born in Jackson County, Florida, Carter became a prominent attorney in Marianna, Florida. In 1875, Carter formed a legal partnership with Benjamin S. Liddon, which lasted until Liddon's appointment to the Florida Supreme Court in 1894.[2]
Political and judicial activities
Carter was politically active, and was "a strong free silver man", to the point of becoming a "silver delegate" to the 1896 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.[3] Carter was personal friends with William Jennings Bryan,[4] and was "an earnest supporter of Bryan and Sewall throughout the convention".[3] In August 1896, Carter was selected as a Democratic presidential elector for the state of Florida.[3]
On January 11, 1897 Governor William D. Bloxham appointed Carter, then 35 years old, to a seat on the Florida Supreme Court vacated by the retirement of Justice Liddon. Carter served until 1905, when he "resigned to take a more active position as judge of the First Judicial Circuit".[2]
Death
Carter died in Pensacola, Florida following an illness, at the age of 75.[4]
References
- Erik Robinson, "Florida Supreme Court Justices: List of Life Dates", Florida Supreme Court Historical Society (June 2010).
- Joseph A. Boyd Jr., Randall Reder, "A History of the Florida Supreme Court", University of Miami Law Review (1981), p. 1043.
- "Judge Wellborn Resigns", The Pensacola News (August 6, 1896), p. 4.
- "Judge F. B. Carter Succumbs to Illness", The Orlando Sentinel (January 10, 1937), p. 2.