American Jurist. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1907, received a law degree in 1908, and became an attorney. A Republican, he ran unsuccessfully for a number of offices during the post-Reconstruction era when North Carolina was dominated by Democrats, including a 1920 campaign for Governor. From 1923 to 1925 he was a Special Assistant to the US Attorney General, and in 1924 he became North Carolina's Republican National Committeeman. In 1925 he was named to the US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and in 1930 he became Chief Judge, a position he served in until his death. In 1930 Parker was nominated to the US Supreme Court, but lost confirmation by one vote as the result of opposition from labor and civil rights groups. This was the first rejection of a Supreme Court nominee since 1894 and is considered the start of the modern confirmation process for federal judges. His status as the senior federal appeals court judge and international reputation for fairness and probity led to his 1945 appointment as Alternate Judge on the Allied Tribunal at Nuremberg, Germany that tried Nazis after World War II. In 1954 Parker was named to the United Nations International Law Commission. The North Carolina Bar Association presents an annual Parker Award, and the University of North Carolina's Parker Residence Hall is named for him. He was the brother of Samuel I. Parker, who received the Medal of Honor during World War I.
American Jurist. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1907, received a law degree in 1908, and became an attorney. A Republican, he ran unsuccessfully for a number of offices during the post-Reconstruction era when North Carolina was dominated by Democrats, including a 1920 campaign for Governor. From 1923 to 1925 he was a Special Assistant to the US Attorney General, and in 1924 he became North Carolina's Republican National Committeeman. In 1925 he was named to the US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and in 1930 he became Chief Judge, a position he served in until his death. In 1930 Parker was nominated to the US Supreme Court, but lost confirmation by one vote as the result of opposition from labor and civil rights groups. This was the first rejection of a Supreme Court nominee since 1894 and is considered the start of the modern confirmation process for federal judges. His status as the senior federal appeals court judge and international reputation for fairness and probity led to his 1945 appointment as Alternate Judge on the Allied Tribunal at Nuremberg, Germany that tried Nazis after World War II. In 1954 Parker was named to the United Nations International Law Commission. The North Carolina Bar Association presents an annual Parker Award, and the University of North Carolina's Parker Residence Hall is named for him. He was the brother of Samuel I. Parker, who received the Medal of Honor during World War I.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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