Edward C. Burks
Encyclopedia
Edward Calohill Burks was an American jurist.
Burks was born in Bedford County, Virginia
, the son of Martin Parks Burks, a successful farmer, and Louise Claiborne Spinner. He attended several schools when he was a boy, among them, the New London Academy. Later, in 1839, he entered Washington College
and graduated in June 1841 with the highest honors of his class. In 1842, he graduated with distinction from the University of Virginia School of Law
. After graduation, he entered private practice in Bedford and adjacent counties.
In December 1876, he was elected to the Supreme Court of Appeals
and remained there for six years until 1882 when the Readjuster Party
came into power. In 1884, after returning to private practice, he was chosen by the Legislature as one of the revisors of the Code of Virginia of 1887, which he completed with Waller Redd Staples
and John W. Riely
, both of whom also served as Justices on the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia. He was also a member of the House of Delegates
in 1861-62 and part of 1863. In 1891, Burks was President of the Virginia State Bar Association
and, with Professor Charles A. Graves
of Washington and Lee and Professor William M. Liles of the University of Virginia, commenced publication of the “Virginia Law Register” in May 1895.
Judge Burks was elected in December 1876 to fill the unexpired term of Judge Wood Boulden
. When Judge Drury A. Hinton
was elected to the court, to start in 1883, Judge Burks contested his own removal after only six years. He claimed that all judges were elected for a twelve-year term. The court ruled against him. (See 77 Va. 1). Subsequently, however, the legislature has made clear, when electing a justice following the death of a member of the court, whether the term is for the unexpired portion of the former justice's term or for a full term, usually the latter.
Judge Burks' son, Martin P. Burks
later served on the Supreme Court of Virginia as well.
Burks was born in Bedford County, Virginia
Bedford County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 60,371 people, 23,838 households, and 18,164 families residing in the county. The population density was 80 people per square mile . There were 26,841 housing units at an average density of 36 per square mile...
, the son of Martin Parks Burks, a successful farmer, and Louise Claiborne Spinner. He attended several schools when he was a boy, among them, the New London Academy. Later, in 1839, he entered Washington College
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...
and graduated in June 1841 with the highest honors of his class. In 1842, he graduated with distinction from the University of Virginia School of Law
University of Virginia School of Law
The University of Virginia School of Law was founded in Charlottesville in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson as one of the original subjects taught at his "academical village," the University of Virginia. The law school maintains an enrollment of approximately 1,100 students in its initial degree program...
. After graduation, he entered private practice in Bedford and adjacent counties.
In December 1876, he was elected to the Supreme Court of Appeals
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 remained there for six years until 1882 when the Readjuster Party
Readjuster Party
The Readjuster Party was a political coalition formed in Virginia in the late 1870s during the turbulent period following the American Civil War. Readjusters aspired "to break the power of wealth and established privilege" and to promote public education, a program which attracted biracial support....
came into power. In 1884, after returning to private practice, he was chosen by the Legislature as one of the revisors of the Code of Virginia of 1887, which he completed with Waller Redd Staples
Waller Redd Staples
Waller Redd Staples was a Congressman serving the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.-Biography:...
and John W. Riely
John W. Riely
John W. Riely was born in Jefferson County, Virginia . He first attended school in Clarke County and then at Middleway in Jefferson County. After this, he attended Winchester Seminary for several years. In order to be able to continue his education, he next clerked in a store in Winchester for...
, both of whom also served as Justices on the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia. He was also a member of the House of Delegates
House of Delegates
The House of Delegates is the name given to the lower house of the legislature in three U.S. states – Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.House of Delegates may also refer to:...
in 1861-62 and part of 1863. In 1891, Burks was President of the Virginia State Bar Association
Virginia Bar Association
The Virginia Bar Association is a voluntary organization of lawyers in Virginia, with offices in Richmond, Virginia.- VBA Mission : is the independent voice of the Virginia lawyer, advancing the highest ideals of the profession through advocacy and volunteer service.- History :The VBA, , was...
and, with Professor Charles A. Graves
Charles A. Graves
Charles Alfred Graves was a legal scholar and law professor, who taught at the law schools of Washington and Lee University School of Law and the University of Virginia....
of Washington and Lee and Professor William M. Liles of the University of Virginia, commenced publication of the “Virginia Law Register” in May 1895.
Judge Burks was elected in December 1876 to fill the unexpired term of Judge Wood Boulden
Wood Boulden
Wood Boulden was born in Charlotte County, Virginia. In his early youth, he attended a private school in Richmond and later entered New London Academy in Bedford County, Virginia. After teaching school for a year, he moved to Halifax County, Virginia and studied law under William Leigh, an...
. When Judge Drury A. Hinton
Drury A. Hinton
Drury A. Hinton was an American lawyer, politician, and judge who most notably served on Virginia's Supreme Court of Appeals from 1883 until 1894. Hinton studied law at the University of Virginia...
was elected to the court, to start in 1883, Judge Burks contested his own removal after only six years. He claimed that all judges were elected for a twelve-year term. The court ruled against him. (See 77 Va. 1). Subsequently, however, the legislature has made clear, when electing a justice following the death of a member of the court, whether the term is for the unexpired portion of the former justice's term or for a full term, usually the latter.
Judge Burks' son, Martin P. Burks
Martin P. Burks
Martin Parks Burks was born in Bedford County, Virginia. His father was Judge Edward C. Burks, who served on the Supreme Court of Appeals from 1876 to 1882. Martin Burks attended Washington and Lee University when he was only fifteen years old...
later served on the Supreme Court of Virginia as well.