James Lindsay Almond

Democrat Representative of Virginia's 6th district

Congresses Served

House Terms

June 15, 1898 (87 years old)

Birthday

April 15, 1986

Death

Served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, 26th Attorney General of Virginia, and the 58th Governor of Virginia.
Initially supported massive resistance to the integration of public schools but later worked to end it following court rulings against segregation.
Became an associate judge and then senior judge of the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals, and later, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Served in the Students Army Training Corps during World War I.
Worked as a lawyer, high school principal, and state court judge before entering politics.
As a judge, made notable decisions including appointing a guardian for two albino African-American men exploited by a circus.
Ran for Congress post-World War II, served as Attorney General of Virginia, and argued for segregation in schools before the Supreme Court.
Elected Governor of Virginia with a segregationist stance but later facilitated the peaceful desegregation of schools.
Nominated to the federal judiciary by President John F. Kennedy, overcoming opposition from Senator Harry F. Byrd.
Married Josephine Katherine Minter, was a Lutheran, taught a men’s bible class, and was involved in various organizations including being a 32nd degree Mason.
Died in Richmond, Virginia, and was buried in Roanoke, Virginia, without having children but raised a nephew.