Bernard Joseph Leddy
Bernard Joseph Leddy (March 18, 1910 – January 9, 1972) was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Vermont.
Bernard Joseph Leddy | |
|---|---|
.jpg) "Young Democrats to Hold Convention in St. Albans". Burlington Free Press (Burlington, VT), August 23, 1940. | |
| Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Vermont | |
| In office 1969–1972 | |
| Preceded by | Ernest W. Gibson Jr. |
| Succeeded by | James Stuart Holden |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Vermont | |
| In office August 25, 1966 – January 9, 1972 | |
| Appointed by | Lyndon B. Johnson |
| Preceded by | Seat established by 80 Stat. 75 |
| Succeeded by | Albert Wheeler Coffrin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Bernard Joseph Leddy March 18, 1910 Underhill, Vermont |
| Died | January 9, 1972 (aged 61) Burlington, Vermont |
| Cause of death | Heart attack |
| Resting place | Resurrection Park Cemetery South Burlington, Vermont |
| Education | Saint Michael's College (A.B.) Boston College Law School (LL.B.) |
Education and career
Born in Underhill, Vermont, Leddy received his Artium Baccalaureus degree from Saint Michael's College in 1931, and a Bachelor of Laws from Boston College Law School in 1934. He was an Alderman of the City of Burlington, Vermont from 1935 to 1940. He was an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Vermont from 1940 to 1954. Leddy was a civilian aide for the United States Secretary of the Army from 1962 to 1966.[1]
Gubernatorial campaign
Leddy was the 1958 Democratic nominee for Governor of Vermont. At a time when Vermont was overwhelmingly Republican, Leddy lost to Robert Stafford by only 719 votes (50.3% to 49.7%). Leddy's strong showing in the governor's race, coupled with the win of Democrat William H. Meyer in the election for Vermont's at-large seat in the United States House of Representatives, was an indicator that the state's Democrats were growing in strength after more than 100 years of Republican dominance in statewide elections.
Federal judicial service
Leddy was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 16, 1966, to the United States District Court for the District of Vermont, to a new seat created by 80 Stat. 75. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 25, 1966, and received his commission the same day. He served as Chief Judge from 1969 to 1972.[1] His service was terminated on January 9, 1972,[1] due to his death after suffering a heart attack at his Burlington home. He is buried at Resurrection Park Cemetery in South Burlington, Vermont.
Family
Leddy's son James P. Leddy was a member of the Vermont State Senate. His daughter Johannah Leddy Donovan has served in the Vermont House of Representatives since 2001. His grandson T. J. Donovan was the State's Attorney for Chittenden County, Vermont, prior to winning election as Vermont Attorney General in 2016.
Honor
A park in Burlington is named in Leddy's honor.[2]
References
- Bernard Joseph Leddy at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
- Enjoy Burlington: Leddy Park information page Archived December 15, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
Sources
- Bernard Joseph Leddy at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
- Bernard Joseph Leddy at Find a Grave
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by E. Frank Branon |
Democratic nominee for Governor of Vermont 1958 |
Succeeded by Russell Niquette |
| Legal offices | ||
| Preceded by Seat established by 80 Stat. 75 |
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Vermont 1966–1972 |
Succeeded by Albert Wheeler Coffrin |
| Preceded by Ernest W. Gibson Jr. |
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Vermont 1969–1972 |
Succeeded by James Stuart Holden |