Henry Winston Holt (September 14, 1864 – October 4, 1947) was born at
Wakefield, Virginia
Wakefield is an incorporated town in Sussex County, Virginia, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 729.
Wakefield is widely known for the Virginia Diner, the Airfield Conference and 4-H Educational Center, and the National We ...
in
Isle of Wight County, Virginia
Isle of Wight County is a county located in the Hampton Roads region of the U.S. state of Virginia. It was named after the Isle of Wight, England, south of the Solent, from where many of its early colonists had come. As of the 2020 census, th ...
, but was raised in
Surry County, Virginia
Surry County is a county (United States), county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, the population was 6,561.
In 1652, Surry County was formed from the portion of James City County, Virginia, Jame ...
. His preparatory education was received at
Hanover Academy in
Hanover County, Virginia
Hanover County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 109,979. Its county seat is Hanover Courthouse.
Hanover County is a part of the Greater Richmond Region.
History
Located in the wester ...
after which he attended
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private land-grant research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Established in 1861, MIT has played a key role in the development of modern technology and science, and is one of the ...
for two years and
Virginia Military Institute
la, Consilio et Animis (on seal)
, mottoeng = "In peace a glorious asset, In war a tower of strength""By courage and wisdom" (on seal)
, established =
, type = Public senior military college
, accreditation = SACS
, endowment = $696.8 mill ...
, from which he graduated in 1886. Turning then to law, he entered
Washington and Lee University
, mottoeng = "Not Unmindful of the Future"
, established =
, type = Private liberal arts university
, academic_affiliations =
, endowment = $2.092 billion (2021)
, president = William C. Dudley
, provost = Lena Hill
, city = Lexingto ...
where he received his law degree in 1888. Upon graduation, he began to practice in
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita ( ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Sedgwick County, Kansas, Sedgwick County. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population of the city was 397,532. The Wichita metro area had ...
, but returned to Virginia in 1891 as Commandant of Cadets at
Staunton Military Academy
Staunton Military Academy was a private all-male military school located in Staunton, Virginia. Founded in 1884, the academy closed in 1976. The school was highly regarded for its academic and military programs, and many notable American political ...
.
In 1892, Holt started practice in Staunton. The following year he was appointed judge of the Corporation Court of the city of
Buena Vista, Virginia
Buena Vista ( ) is an independent city (United States), independent city located in the Blue Ridge Mountains region of Virginia in the United States. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, the population was 6,641. The Bureau of Econ ...
, though still living in Staunton. He resigned from this position in 1896. In 1900, Holt was appointed judge of the Staunton Corporation Court, where he served until 1912. At that time, he was appointed judge of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, where he remained for sixteen years. In 1924, Judge Holt was elected to the Special Court of Appeals and, in 1928, to the
Supreme Court of Appeals
The Supreme Court of Virginia is the supreme court, highest court in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It primarily hears direct appeals in civil cases from the trial-level city and county circuit courts, as well as the criminal law, family law and ...
. He served on that court until his death, as chief justice for his final year.
He was buried near his wife, Mary Caperton Braxton Holt (who had died in 1934), at the
Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton. The University of Virginia acquired his papers, along with those of his brother in law
Allen Caperton Braxton
Allen Caperton Braxton (March 6, 1862 – March 22, 1914) was a Virginia lawyer and member of the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1901–1902. He is considered the founder of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, and was preside ...
.
References
Virginia lawyers
Virginia state court judges
Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of Virginia
1864 births
1947 deaths
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