Thomas H. Roberts

For other people named Thomas Roberts, see Thomas Roberts (disambiguation).

Thomas Hagan Roberts (January 4, 1902 – January 7, 1976) was an American attorney and jurist who served as a judge on the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and Rhode Island Supreme Court.

Thomas Roberts
36th Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court
In office 1966–1976
Preceded by	Francis Condon
Succeeded by	Joseph A. Bevilacqua
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico
In office 1950–1952
Appointed by	Harry S. Truman
Preceded by	David Chávez
Succeeded by	Clemente Ruiz Nazario
Personal details
Born	Thomas Hagen Roberts (1902-01-04)January 4, 1902 Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Died	January 7, 1976(1976-01-07) (aged 74)
Relations	Dennis J. Roberts (brother)
Children	Dennis J. Roberts II
Alma mater	Fordham University (BA) Boston University (JD)

Early life and education

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Roberts received his bachelor's degree from Fordham University and his J.D. degree from Boston University School of Law. During World War II, he served as director of Rhode Island Civil Defense and chairman of the Rhode Island Bureau of Police and Fire.

Career

From 1949 to 1950, Roberts served as chief counsel of the United Nations War Crimes Commission. Roberts was appointed to the judgeship for the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, by President Harry S. Truman, and served from 1950 to 1952. Roberts served on the Rhode Island Superior Court in 1951 and was appointed to succeed Justice Jeremiah E. O'Connell on the Rhode Island Supreme Court in 1956, serving until 1976, and as chief justice from 1966 to 1976. He was the brother of Rhode Island Governor Dennis J. Roberts.

References

• Guillermo A. Baralt, History of the Federal Court in Puerto Rico: 1899-1999 (2004) (also published in Spanish as Historia del Tribunal Federal de Puerto Rico)