Henry P. Chandler | |
|---|---|
 Chandler shortly after taking office, December 9, 1939 | |
| Director of theAdministrative Office of the United States Courts | |
| In office November 22, 1939 – October 31, 1956 | |
| Appointed by | Charles Evans Hughes |
| Succeeded by | Warren Olney III |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Henry Porter Chandler (1880-03-19)March 19, 1880 |
| Died | December 12, 1975(1975-12-12) (aged 95) |
| Resting place | Oak Woods Cemetery,Chicago,Illinois 41°46′10″N87°35′57″W / 41.76944°N 87.59917°W /41.76944; -87.59917 |
Henry Porter Chandler ((1880-03-19)March 19, 1880,Indian Orchard,Massachusetts –(1975-12-12)December 12, 1975,Bethesda,Maryland) was the first Director of theAdministrative Office of the United States Courts, serving from the creation of the Administrative Office in 1939 until his retirement in 1956.
Chandler was born March 19, 1880, inIndian Orchard,Massachusetts, to John Henry Chandler and Abbie White Chandler (née Smith).[1] He grew up in Massachusetts andCalifornia.[2] He attendedStanford University before transferring toHarvard University, from which he received hisBachelor of Arts degree in 1901.[3] He obtained hisJ.D. degree from theUniversity of Chicago Law School in 1906.[2][3]
Upon graduation from law school, Chandler was admitted to theIllinois State Bar Association, and began a 33-year career practicing law in Chicago, eventually becoming partner in the law firm of Tolman and Chandler.[3] He served as president of theChicago Bar Association and chairman of themunicipal law section of theAmerican Bar Association from 1938 to 1939.[2] He also served as president of theUnion League Club of Chicago and theCity Club of Chicago.[3]
When theAdministrative Office of the United States Courts was established in 1939,United States Chief JusticeCharles Evans Hughes appointed Chandler to be the first director of the office on November 22, 1939.[2] Chandler held that office for almost 17 years under four Chief Justices,[4] until his retirement on October 31, 1956.[3]
After his retirement from the Administrative Office, Chandler was tapped in 1957 by theterritorial government of Hawaii to undertake a study of the administration of territorial courts, and to recommend legislation to implement his findings.[5] His recommendations were adopted with minor changes, and became the law of the state whenHawaii was admitted to the Union in 1959.[5] TheSupreme Court of Illinois appointed Chandler to serve as the first court administrator for the state ofIllinois. He stepped down from that position in September 1960.[5]
Chandler's first wife was Helen Firman Mack, whom he married in 1906.[1] Helen died in 1930, and Chandler remarried in 1931, to Olive Hull.[1] He had one daughter, Margaret Mack Chandler, with his first wife.[1]
Chandler died on December 12, 1975, inBethesda,Maryland,[4] and was buried atOak Woods Cemetery inChicago.[1]
Chandler authored a number of articles, particularly in the areas of criminal probation and court administration, including: