Abram Penn Staples
Encyclopedia
Abram Penn Staples was born at Martinsville, Virginia
. During his childhood, his family moved to Roanoke, where he attended Roanoke High School. He then entered Washington and Lee University
, where he received a Bachelor of Law degree in 1908. Entering into practice at Roanoke in 1908, he soon made a name for himself as an exceptional lawyer. In 1924, he was elected President of the Roanoke Bar Association and, in 1927, was elected to the Virginia Senate, being re-elected in 1931. He was appointed Attorney General of Virginia
in March 1934 to fill out the term of John R. Saunders and was subsequently elected to that office in 1937, 1941, and 1945. In August 1947, he was elected to the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia
and served on that court until he retired in January 1951, as a result of failing health. Staples was a member of Phi Beta Kappa
, Phi Delta Phi
, and Omicron Delta Kappa
.
Martinsville, Virginia
Martinsville is an independent city which is surrounded by Henry County, Virginia, United States. The population was 13,821 in 2010. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Martinsville with Henry County for statistical purposes...
. During his childhood, his family moved to Roanoke, where he attended Roanoke High School. He then entered Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University is a private liberal arts college in Lexington, Virginia, United States.The classical school from which Washington and Lee descended was established in 1749 as Augusta Academy, about north of its present location. In 1776 it was renamed Liberty Hall in a burst of...
, where he received a Bachelor of Law degree in 1908. Entering into practice at Roanoke in 1908, he soon made a name for himself as an exceptional lawyer. In 1924, he was elected President of the Roanoke Bar Association and, in 1927, was elected to the Virginia Senate, being re-elected in 1931. He was appointed Attorney General of Virginia
Attorney General of Virginia
The Attorney General of Virginia is an executive office in the Government of Virginia. Attorneys General are elected for a four-year term in the year following a presidential election . There are no term limits restricting the number of terms someone can serve as Attorney General...
in March 1934 to fill out the term of John R. Saunders and was subsequently elected to that office in 1937, 1941, and 1945. In August 1947, he was elected to the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia
Supreme Court of Virginia
The Supreme Court of Virginia is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It primarily hears appeals from the trial-level city and county Circuit Courts, as well as the criminal law, family law and administrative law cases that go through the Court of Appeals of Virginia. It is one of...
and served on that court until he retired in January 1951, as a result of failing health. Staples was a member of Phi Beta Kappa
Phi Beta Kappa Society
The Phi Beta Kappa Society is an academic honor society. Its mission is to "celebrate and advocate excellence in the liberal arts and sciences"; and induct "the most outstanding students of arts and sciences at America’s leading colleges and universities." Founded at The College of William and...
, Phi Delta Phi
Phi Delta Phi
Phi Delta Phi, ΦΔΦ, is the world's second largest legal fraternity. Phi Delta Phi is the second oldest legal organization in continuous existence in the United States and third oldest in North America...
, and Omicron Delta Kappa
Omicron Delta Kappa
Omicron Delta Kappa, or ΟΔΚ, also known as The Circle, or more commonly ODK, is a national leadership honor society. It was founded December 3, 1914, at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, by 15 student and faculty leaders. Chapters, known as Circles, are located on over 300...
.