Lawrence M. Judd | |
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![]() Judd as Senator in 1920 | |
Governor of American Samoa | |
In office March 4, 1953 – August 4, 1953 | |
Appointed by | Dwight D. Eisenhower |
Preceded by | James Arthur Ewing |
Succeeded by | Richard Barrett Lowe |
7thTerritorial Governor of Hawaii | |
In office July 6, 1929 – March 2, 1934 | |
Appointed by | Herbert Hoover |
Preceded by | Wallace R. Farrington |
Succeeded by | Joseph Poindexter |
Personal details | |
Born | Lawrence McCully Judd (1887-03-20)March 20, 1887 Honolulu,Hawaiian Kingdom |
Died | October 4, 1968(1968-10-04) (aged 81) Honolulu, Hawaii |
Resting place | Oahu Cemetery |
Political party | Republican |
Spouses |
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Children | 5 |
Parent(s) | Albert Francis Judd Agnes Hall Boyd |
Occupation | Politician |
Lawrence McCully Judd (March 20, 1887 – October 4, 1968) was a politician of theTerritory of Hawaii, serving as the seventhterritorial governor. Judd is most well-known for his role inthe Massie Affair, in which he commuted the sentence of three people convicted of manslaughter in the killing ofJosef Kahahawai.[1]
He later served asGovernor of American Samoa from March 4 to August 4, 1953. As Governor of Hawai'i, his notable contributions included the establishment of public parks and numerous playgrounds, as well as reducing state spending. He also raised public awareness about the conditions in the leper colony onMoloka'i Island.[2]
Judd was born March 20, 1887, inHonolulu, Hawaii, the grandson ofGerrit P. Judd, who was anearly American Missionary, a cabinet minister to KingKamehameha III, and co-founder ofPunahou School.[3]His father was JudgeAlbert Francis Judd (1838–1900) and mother was Agnes Hall Boyd (1844–1934). He was the last of nine children. He was married March 6, 1909, atRichmond Hill, New York, to Florence Bell Hackett (1885–1974) and had five children: Helen Florence (1909-?), Agnes Elizabeth (1912-?), Sophie Janet (1913–?), Lawrence McCully Jr. (1917–?) and Emilie Bell (1920–?).[4]Judd married his second wife, Eva Marie Lillibridge (1913–2002)[5] in 1938.
Judd attended the Punahou School,The Hotchkiss School, and theUniversity of Pennsylvania, where he was a member of itsfraternity chapter ofPhi Kappa Psi.
Judd made several fact-finding tours during his tenure in the Hawaii Territorial Senate 1920–1927.[6]
Herbert Hoover appointed Judd to succeedWallace Rider Farrington as the seventh Governor of Hawaii Territory from 1929 to 1934.[7] As territorial governor, he overhauled the system of governance in the colony. A source of controversy during his tenure, Judd commuted the sentence ofGrace Hubbard Fortescue, socialite and niece ofAlexander Graham Bell, convicted in the territorial courts of manslaughter in the death of a local man,Joseph Kahahawai. Hiring defense lawyerClarence Darrow, Fortescue's case was known as theMassie Affair, a focus of nationwide newspaper coverage. Massie's sentence of ten years in prison was whittled down to one hour in the governor's chambers at ʻIolani Palace. The affair was the subject of a 2005 episode of thePBS seriesThe American Experience, which included archival footage of Judd.
Judd became Kalaupapa's resident superintendent in 1947.
Judd's service running Kalaupapa was a subject in the 2003 historical novel and national bestseller calledMoloka'i byAlan Brennert as well as the historical account,The Colony: The Harrowing True Story of the Exiles of Molokai by John Tayman.[7]
On 4 March 1953, PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower appointed JuddGovernor of American Samoa on a temporary basis. He served only five months.
Judd died on October 4, 1968, in Honolulu and was interred in the city'sOahu Cemetery in Nuʻuanu Valley.
Government offices | ||
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Preceded by | Territorial Governor of Hawaii 1929–1934 | Succeeded by |
Preceded by | Governor of American Samoa 1953 | Succeeded by |