Robert Foster Chapman
Encyclopedia
Robert Foster Chapman was 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
.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
.
Born in Inman, South Carolina
Inman, South Carolina
Inman is a city in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,321 at the 2010 census.Inman is a small community located in the Upstate region of South Carolina...
, Chapman was an Ensign in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, from 1943 to 1946. He received a B.S. from University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
in 1945, and an LL.B. from University of South Carolina Law School in 1949. He was in private practice in Spartanburg, South Carolina
Spartanburg, South Carolina
thgSpartanburg is the largest city in and the county seat of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. It is the second-largest city of the three primary cities in the Upstate region of South Carolina, and is located northwest of Columbia, west of Charlotte, and about northeast of...
from 1949 to 1951, then returned to the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
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
United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
The United States District Court for the District of South Carolina is the federal district court whose jurisdiction is the state of South Carolina...
created by 84 Stat. 294. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
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
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
on July 16, 1981 for elevation to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is a federal court located in Richmond, Virginia, with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:*District of Maryland*Eastern District of North Carolina...
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
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
on May 31, 1991, after which his seat was filled by Karen J. Williams
Karen J. Williams
Karen J. Williams was a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, appointed in 1992 and serving as its Chief Judge from 2007 until her retirement in 2009. Williams was mentioned as a potential nominee to the United States Supreme Court during the administration of George W...
.