Lemuel F. Smith

This article is about the state supreme court justice. For the serial killer, see Lemuel Smith.

Lemuel Franklin Smith (April 21, 1890 – October 15, 1956) was a Virginia, legislator, lawyer and judge.

Lemuel F. Smith
Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia
In office February 15, 1951 – October 15, 1956
Preceded by	Abram P. Staples
Succeeded by	Harold F. Snead
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates for Albemarle, Greene, and Charlottesville
In office January 14, 1920 – 1926
Preceded by	David H. Pitts Eber A. Carpenter
Succeeded by	Albert S. Bolling
Personal details
Born	Lemuel Franklin Smith (1890-04-21)April 21, 1890 Shadwell, Virginia, U.S.
Died	October 15, 1956(1956-10-15) (aged 66) Virginia, U.S.
Spouse	Eleanor Grace Stulting
Alma mater	Randolph Macon College University of Virginia

Early life

Smith was born in Albemarle County, Virginia on April 21, 1890. He attended Randolph Macon College, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree.

Career

After teaching for three years at Randolph Macon Academy, he entered law school at the University of Virginia where he received his law degree in 1916. Shortly after that, he and John S. Battle opened a law office in Charlottesville. He was a member of Charlottesville's City Council, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, Commonwealth's Attorney for Albemarle County, judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit and, in 1951, was elected to the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia. He served on the court until his death. Justice Smith received an honorary LL. D. from Randolph Macon in 1951.

His great nephew, James H. Smith, followed in his footsteps and became Commonwealth's attorney and Juvenile and Domestics Relations judge. He was also a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.