Robert F. Chapman

For other people named Robert Chapman (disambiguation), see Robert Chapman (disambiguation) (disambiguation).

Robert Chapman
Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Incumbent
Assumed office May 31, 1991
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
In office September 19, 1981 – May 31, 1991
Appointed by	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Clement Haynsworth
Succeeded by	Karen Williams
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
In office May 27, 1971 – September 19, 1981
Appointed by	Richard Nixon
Preceded by	Seat established
Succeeded by	Clyde Hamilton
Leader of the South Carolina Republican Party
In office 1962–1963
Preceded by	Greg Shorey
Succeeded by	Drake Edens
Personal details
Born	(1926-04-04) April 4, 1926 Inman, South Carolina, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	University of South Carolina, Columbia

Robert Foster Chapman (born April 24, 1926) is a United States federal judge.

Born in Inman, South Carolina, Chapman was an Ensign in the United States Navy during World War II, from 1943 to 1946. He received a B.S. from University of South Carolina in 1945, and an LL.B. from University of South Carolina Law School in 1949. He was in private practice in Spartanburg, South Carolina from 1949 to 1951, then returned to the United States Navy as a Lieutenant from 1951 to 1953 before returning to private practice in Spartanburg until 1971.

On May 18, 1971, Chapman was nominated by President Richard M. Nixon to a new seat on the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina created by 84 Stat. 294. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 26, 1971, and received his commission on May 27, 1971. After a decade of service on that court, Chapman was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on July 16, 1981, for elevation to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit vacated by Clement Furman Haynsworth, Jr.. Chapman was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 16, 1981, receiving his commission on September 19, 1981. He assumed senior status on May 31, 1991, after which his seat was filled by Karen J. Williams.

Chapman served as chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party from 1962 to 1963.

Notes

• Robert F. Chapman at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.