J. Lee Rankin
Encyclopedia
J. Lee Rankin was the 31st United States Solicitor General
, from 1956 to 1961. In 1952, Rankin managed the Dwight Eisenhower for President campaign in Nebraska and in 1953, Eisenhower selected Rankin to serve as United States Assistant Attorney General
.
Known for his straightforward, quiet, and friendly demeanor, Rankin (known to his friends and colleagues as Lee), loved to tend roses, play the piccolo
, and was an enthusiastic amateur photographer. He was the son of Herman P. and Lois Gable Rankin. Rankin attended public schools before receiving both his undergraduate and law degree
s from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After graduating from law school in 1930, Rankin was admitted to the Nebraska Bar Association
and began his law career with a firm in Lincoln, Nebraska
. In 1935, he became a partner and worked with the firm for over 20 years.
In 1953, he was appointed Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Office of Legal Counsel
. In this capacity, Rankin may best be remembered for arguing in favor of the African-American plaintiffs in Brown v. Board of Education
(1954), advocating that the doctrine of “separate-but-equal” facilities for blacks and whites was unconstitutional. After the Supreme Court’s
ruling in Brown, Rankin argued in a presentation before the Court that the effort to desegregate schools should take place gradually in an effort to avoid any violence that might arise from the decision. Accordingly, he suggested the plan by which local school districts submitted desegregation plans to federal judge
s in their states. In addition, Rankin argued a great range of other important cases before the Supreme Court. He was instrumental in resolving conflicting claims among Western states to the Colorado River
, and in establishing a balance of federal and state jurisdictions in offshore oil
drilling.
On August 14, 1956, Rankin was appointed U.S. Solicitor General. In response to lawsuits in many states arising out of legislative reapportionment fights, he developed the Justice Department
’s position that led to the principle of one person, one vote. After serving as solicitor general from August 1956 to January 1961, Rankin represented the American Civil Liberties Union
in advancing the landmark case, Gideon v. Wainwright
, solidifying the right of an indigent person accused of a crime to have legal counsel at public expense.
Following President John F. Kennedy’s assassination
, Rankin was the unanimous choice of the Warren Commission
to serve as general counsel in the inquiry that concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald
had acted alone in killing President Kennedy. He was credited with redrafting and editing the commission’s voluminous report into a work of polished prose. Subsequently, Rankin practiced law in New York City
until the 1970s, working seven years as the New York City Corporation Counsel (1966-1972).
Upon retirement, Rankin and his wife of 63 years, Gertrude, moved to Weston, Connecticut
, where they had a summer home. In 1993, they relocated to their home in Los Gatos, California
. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin had two sons, James Jr. and Roger C., and one daughter, Sara Stadler; six grandchildren, Todd, Stephanie, Russell, Andrew, Amy, and Justin; and four great-grandchildren, Camden, Thomas, Hannah, and Faith.
United States Solicitor General
The United States Solicitor General is the person appointed to represent the federal government of the United States before the Supreme Court of the United States. The current Solicitor General, Donald B. Verrilli, Jr. was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 6, 2011 and sworn in on June...
, from 1956 to 1961. In 1952, Rankin managed the Dwight Eisenhower for President campaign in Nebraska and in 1953, Eisenhower selected Rankin to serve as United States Assistant Attorney General
United States Assistant Attorney General
Many of the divisions and offices of the United States Department of Justice are headed by an Assistant Attorney General.The President of the United States appoints individuals to the position of Assistant Attorney General with the advice and consent of the Senate...
.
Known for his straightforward, quiet, and friendly demeanor, Rankin (known to his friends and colleagues as Lee), loved to tend roses, play the piccolo
Piccolo
The piccolo is a half-size flute, and a member of the woodwind family of musical instruments. The piccolo has the same fingerings as its larger sibling, the standard transverse flute, but the sound it produces is an octave higher than written...
, and was an enthusiastic amateur photographer. He was the son of Herman P. and Lois Gable Rankin. Rankin attended public schools before receiving both his undergraduate and law degree
Law degree
A Law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license...
s from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After graduating from law school in 1930, Rankin was admitted to the Nebraska Bar Association
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
and began his law career with a firm in Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
. In 1935, he became a partner and worked with the firm for over 20 years.
In 1953, he was appointed Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Office of Legal Counsel
Office of Legal Counsel
The Office of Legal Counsel is an office in the United States Department of Justice that assists the Attorney General in his function as legal adviser to the President and all executive branch agencies.-History:...
. In this capacity, Rankin may best be remembered for arguing in favor of the African-American plaintiffs in Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 , was a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional. The decision overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson decision of 1896 which...
(1954), advocating that the doctrine of “separate-but-equal” facilities for blacks and whites was unconstitutional. After the Supreme Court’s
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
ruling in Brown, Rankin argued in a presentation before the Court that the effort to desegregate schools should take place gradually in an effort to avoid any violence that might arise from the decision. Accordingly, he suggested the plan by which local school districts submitted desegregation plans to federal judge
Federal judge
Federal judges are judges appointed by a federal level of government as opposed to the state / provincial / local level.-Brazil:In Brazil, federal judges of first instance are chosen exclusively by public contest...
s in their states. In addition, Rankin argued a great range of other important cases before the Supreme Court. He was instrumental in resolving conflicting claims among Western states to the Colorado River
Colorado River
The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
, and in establishing a balance of federal and state jurisdictions in offshore oil
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
drilling.
On August 14, 1956, Rankin was appointed U.S. Solicitor General. In response to lawsuits in many states arising out of legislative reapportionment fights, he developed the Justice Department
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
’s position that led to the principle of one person, one vote. After serving as solicitor general from August 1956 to January 1961, Rankin represented the American Civil Liberties Union
American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union is a U.S. non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It works through litigation, legislation, and...
in advancing the landmark case, Gideon v. Wainwright
Gideon v. Wainwright
Gideon v. Wainwright, , is a landmark case in United States Supreme Court history. In the case, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that state courts are required under the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution to provide counsel in criminal cases for defendants who are unable to afford their own...
, solidifying the right of an indigent person accused of a crime to have legal counsel at public expense.
Following President John F. Kennedy’s assassination
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
, Rankin was the unanimous choice of the Warren Commission
Warren Commission
The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy, known unofficially as the Warren Commission, was established on November 27, 1963, by Lyndon B. Johnson to investigate the assassination of United States President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963...
to serve as general counsel in the inquiry that concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald was, according to four government investigations,These were investigations by: the Federal Bureau of Investigation , the Warren Commission , the House Select Committee on Assassinations , and the Dallas Police Department. the sniper who assassinated John F...
had acted alone in killing President Kennedy. He was credited with redrafting and editing the commission’s voluminous report into a work of polished prose. Subsequently, Rankin practiced law in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
until the 1970s, working seven years as the New York City Corporation Counsel (1966-1972).
Upon retirement, Rankin and his wife of 63 years, Gertrude, moved to Weston, Connecticut
Weston, Connecticut
Weston is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The population was 10,179 at the 2010 census. The town is served by Route 57 and Route 53, both of which run through the town center. About 19% of the town's workforce commutes to New York City, about to the southwest.Like many towns in...
, where they had a summer home. In 1993, they relocated to their home in Los Gatos, California
Los Gatos, California
The Town of Los Gatos is an incorporated town in Santa Clara County, California, United States. The population was 29,413 at the 2010 census. It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area at the southwest corner of San Jose in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains...
. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin had two sons, James Jr. and Roger C., and one daughter, Sara Stadler; six grandchildren, Todd, Stephanie, Russell, Andrew, Amy, and Justin; and four great-grandchildren, Camden, Thomas, Hannah, and Faith.