William A. Little (Georgia judge) facts for kids
William Augustus Little (born November 6, 1838 – died February 28, 1924) was an important judge. He served on the Supreme Court of Georgia from 1897 to 1903. This court is the highest court in the state of Georgia.
His Early Life and Education
William A. Little was born in Talbot County, Georgia. He went to school at the Collingsworth Institute in Talbotton, Georgia. He also attended private schools in Macon. He started college at the University of Georgia in 1857. Later, he moved to Oglethorpe University and graduated in 1858.
That same year, he became a lawyer. He then went to Yale College. However, he left Yale to join the Confederate States Army. This was at the start of the American Civil War. He became a captain in the cavalry, which means he led soldiers on horseback. He served in the 10th Georgia Regiment during the war.
His Career in Law and Politics
After the war, Little started working as a lawyer in Talbot County. Soon after, he was chosen to be the solicitor for the county court. A solicitor is like a prosecutor; they represent the government in court cases.
In 1872, he was named solicitor general for the Chattooga circuit. This meant he was in charge of legal matters for a larger area. In 1877, he moved to Columbus, Georgia. There, he was chosen to be a delegate for a special meeting. This meeting was to write the state's constitution.
He also served in the Georgia House of Representatives. This is where laws are made for the state. He was even the Speaker of the House from 1884 to 1887. The Speaker is the leader of the House.
In 1891, he became the Attorney General of Georgia. This is the state's chief legal officer. Later, he worked as an assistant attorney general for the United States.
In 1897, while holding this job, he was elected to the Georgia Supreme Court. He was re-elected in 1900 for another six-year term. However, he had to leave the court on January 1, 1903. He resigned because he was not in good health. Another important judge, Joseph Rucker Lamar, took his place. Joseph Rucker Lamar later served on the Supreme Court of the United States.
William Little stopped practicing law in 1913 due to his health. At that time, he was a judge on the Chattahoochee circuit bench. He had held this position for many years.
His Family and Later Years
William A. Little married Virginia Dozier. They had a son named John D. Little. Their son grew up to become a well-known lawyer in Atlanta. Virginia Little passed away on April 4, 1912, when she was 67 years old.
William A. Little died at his home in Columbus, Georgia. He was 85 years old. He was buried next to his wife at Linwood Cemetery.
