F. Ryan Duffy

F. Ryan Duffy
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
In office February 2, 1949 – June 30, 1966
Appointed by	Harry S. Truman
Preceded by	Evan Alfred Evans
Succeeded by	Thomas E. Fairchild
Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
In office September 1, 1954 – August 6, 1959
Preceded by	James Earl Major
Succeeded by	John S. Hastings
Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
In office June 21, 1939 – February 2, 1949
Appointed by	Franklin D. Roosevelt
Preceded by	Ferdinand August Geiger
Succeeded by	Robert E. Tehan
United States Senator from Wisconsin
In office March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1939
Preceded by	John J. Blaine
Succeeded by	Alexander Wiley
Personal details
Born	Francis Ryan Duffy (1888-06-23)June 23, 1888 Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Died	August 16, 1979(1979-08-16) (aged 91) Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Alma mater	University of Wisconsin University of Wisconsin Law School

Francis Ryan Duffy (June 23, 1888 – August 16, 1979) was a Wisconsin jurist and politician who served as a United States Senator and as a federal judge. Duffy served in the Senate from 1933–39, losing his seat to Alexander Wiley in the election of 1938. From 1954 to 1959, he served as chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Biography

Born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Duffy graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1910. He received his LL.B. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1912.

Duffy was a private practice attorney in Fond du Lac from 1912 to 1917, then served in the United States Army from 1917 to 1919. After his return from the military, Duffy resumed the practice of law until his election to the United States Senate in 1933, as a Democrat.

In his bid for reelection in 1938, Duffy was challenged by Alexander Wiley, the Republicans' 1936 nominee for Governor of Wisconsin.

Wiley defeated Duffy, whom President Franklin D. Roosevelt soon nominated to fill a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin vacated by Ferdinand August Geiger. Duffy was confirmed by the Senate on June 29, 1939.

In 1949, President Harry S. Truman nominated Duffy to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit formerly held by Evan Alfred Evans. Duffy was confirmed by the Senate on January 31, 1949 and received his commission on February 2. He was sworn in on February 14.

In 1954, Duffy was designated chief judge of the court, replacing James Earl Major.

Last years and death

After the designation of John S. Hastings as chief judge in 1959, Duffy remained on the court as an active-duty judge. He did not assume senior status until 1966, and remained on the court until his death in 1979, at age 91. Duffy is buried at Calvary Cemetery, Fond du Lac.

Sources

• United States Congress. "F. Ryan Duffy (id: D000518)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Francis Ryan Duffy at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.