Charles Russell Donaldson (February 2, 1919 – October 9, 1987) was an American attorney and jurist who served as a justice of the Idaho Supreme Court for more than eighteen years, including the last four years as chief justice.[1] He was elected to the court in November 1968,[2][3][4] and served from early 1969 until his death in October 1987.[5][6]
Charles Donaldson | |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court | |
| In office January 3, 1983 – October 9, 1987 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Bakes |
| Succeeded by | Allan Shepard |
| Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court | |
| In office January 6, 1969 – October 9, 1987 | |
| Preceded by | Clarence J. Taylor |
| Succeeded by | Byron J. Johnson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 2, 1919 Helena, Montana, U.S. |
| Died | October 9, 1987 (aged 68) Boise, Idaho, U.S. |
| Resting place | Morris Hill Cemetery Boise, Idaho |
| Education | University of Idaho (LLB) |
Education
editDonaldson received his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Idaho College of Law and was admitted to the Idaho State Bar in 1948.
Career
editBefore his election to the state supreme court, Donaldson was appointed as a district judge in Ada County. He was known for his district court opinion in Reed v. Reed in which he ruled that men could not be preferred in the selection of estate administrators; Donaldson's decision was affirmed by the United States Supreme Court in November 1971.[7]
In 1983, Donaldson became the first chief justice to be elected by his peers,[1] and was often the swing vote on the court.[8] In 1987, he suffered a heart attack during a routine early afternoon workout and died shortly after at age 68. Donaldson was the first justice of the state's high court to die in office in 28 years, since James Porter in 1959.[8]
He is the namesake for Donaldson Peak in Custer County.
References
edit- ^ a b "Donaldson is first elective chief justice". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. January 4, 1983. p. 4D.
- ^ "Solon gets GOP nod; Idahoans pick Shepard". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. August 7, 1968. p. 35.
- ^ "Idaho GOP claims big wins". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. November 6, 1968. p. 18.
- ^ "Church defeats Hansen; McClure, Orval Hansen win House seats". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. November 6, 1968. p. 1.
- ^ "Idaho justices will be sworn". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. January 6, 1969. p. 2.
- ^ "Justice Donaldson dies; key vote on high court". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. October 10, 1987. p. A6.
- ^ "Women's rights upheld". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. November 22, 1971. p. 1.
- ^ a b "Justice Donaldson dies; key vote on high court". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. October 10, 1987. p. A6.
- In Memoriam: Justice Charles R. Donaldson – 1919–1987. 25 Idaho L. Rev. 1 (1988–1989).
External links
edit | This biography of a state judge in Idaho is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |