Solomon Blatt, Jr.

Solomon Blatt, Jr.
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
In office May 7, 1990 – April 20, 2016
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
In office 1986–1990
Preceded by	Charles Earl Simons, Jr.
Succeeded by	Falcon Black Hawkins, Jr.
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
In office May 28, 1971 – May 7, 1990
Appointed by	Richard Nixon
Preceded by	Donald S. Russell
Succeeded by	David C. Norton
Personal details
Born	August 20, 1921 Barnwell, South Carolina, United States
Died	April 20, 2016 (aged 94) Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Spouse(s)	Carolyn Gayden
Alma mater	University of South Carolina
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1942–1946
Rank	Lieutenant
Battles/wars	World War II

Solomon "Sol" Blatt, Jr. (August 20, 1921 – April 20, 2016) was a United States District Judge for the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina and trustee of the University of South Carolina.

Early life

Blatt (pronounced /blot/) was born in Barnwell, South Carolina, to Solomon Blatt, Sr., speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives, and Ethel Green. He attended the University of South Carolina and received his bachelor's degree in 1941. While at the university, Blatt was a member of the Euphradian Society and on the boxing team, competing in the lightweight class.^[1]

Career

Blatt enlisted in the Navy after America's entrance into World War II and was commissioned an officer. He served on a destroyer that escorted liberty ships to Europe as well as participating in anti-submarine warfare. After the war, Blatt obtained a J.D. degree in 1946 from the University of South Carolina and he commenced the practice of law in Barnwell for the firm Blatt and Fales; he remained in private practice until 1971. The same year, his father had to resign as a trustee for the University of South Carolina because of a provision in the state constitution prohibiting dual office holding. The elder Blatt nominated his son to the board at just age twenty-five and the General Assembly approved the nomination. The students responded by hanging an effigy of Speaker Blatt at Maxcy Monument with a poem attached that read "King Sol: Through my son I shall rule, with house members as my tools."^[2]

As a trustee, Blatt served on the athletic committee and was instrumental in recruiting Frank McGuire as head coach of the men's basketball team. Blatt fully supported the university's withdrawal from the Atlantic Coast Conference in March 1971 because of the conference's strict academic standards and the special exceptions received by the North Carolina schools.

In 1971, through the recommendation of Senator Strom Thurmond, President Nixon nominated Blatt for the vacant judgeship of the District Court for South Carolina, a seat vacated by Donald Stuart Russell. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 26, 1971, and received his commission on May 28, 1971. He served as chief judge from 1986-1990. He assumed senior status on May 7, 1990. His docket consisted primarily of criminal cases. Blatt continued to serve until his death. ^[3]

Personal life

Blatt married Carolyn Gayden in 1942 and they had three children. He was a strong supporter of South Carolina athletics and had been a season ticket holder for football games since 1946. Blatt died on April 20, 2016, at his Charleston home.^[3]

References

1. Celebrating the life of Solomon Blatt Jr.
2. Lesesne, Henry H. (2001). A History of the University of South Carolina, 1940-2000. University of South Carolina Press. p. 49.
3. "Federal Judge Sol Blatt Jr. has passed". Post and Courier. 0421/2106. Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

• Solomon Blatt, Jr. at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
• Biography of Sol Blatt, Jr.