Casper Platt facts for kids

Casper Platt (born June 6, 1892 – died September 16, 1965) was an important United States federal judge. He spent many years working in the legal system, first as a lawyer, then as a state judge, and finally as a federal judge.

Who Was Casper Platt?

Casper Platt was a respected judge who served the United States for many years. He was known for his dedication to the law. His career showed how someone could start in local government and move up to a very important national role.

Early Life and Education

Casper Platt was born in Danville, Illinois, on June 6, 1892. He was a good student and went to college. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1914.

After that, he continued his studies in law. He received his law degree, called a Juris Doctor (J.D.), from the University of Chicago Law School in 1916. This education prepared him for a long career in law.

A Career in Law

After finishing law school, Casper Platt started working as a private lawyer in Danville, Illinois, from 1916 to 1917. His legal career was briefly interrupted when he joined the United States Army during World War I. He served in the military from 1917 to 1918.

After the war, he returned to Danville and continued his private law practice until 1933. During this time, he also served his community as a city attorney for Danville from 1927 to 1928. This meant he was the main lawyer for the city government.

In 1933, Casper Platt became a judge on the Fifth Circuit Court of Illinois. This was a state court, meaning it handled legal cases within the state of Illinois. He served as a state judge for many years, until 1949.

Becoming a Federal Judge

Casper Platt's career reached a new level in 1949. On September 15, 1949, President Harry S. Truman chose him to become a judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois. This was a federal court, which handles cases related to national laws.

For Platt to become a federal judge, the United States Senate had to approve President Truman's choice. The Senate confirmed his appointment on October 12, 1949. He officially received his "commission," or official appointment, on October 13, 1949.

He served as a federal judge for many years. In 1956, he became the chief judge of the court. This meant he was the main judge in charge of that court. He continued to serve in this important role until he passed away on September 16, 1965.

Honoring His Legacy

Casper Platt's contributions to the legal field are still remembered today. The University of Chicago Law School, where he studied, created the Casper Platt Award in his honor. This award is given to students who write the best legal papers.

Also, the Danville Area Community College named a scholarship after him. This scholarship helps students who are pursuing their education, continuing his legacy of supporting learning and justice.

See Also

• Casper Platt at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.