Jacob J. Spiegel (September 1902 – April 9, 1984) was a justice of the

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) is the court of last resort, highest court in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Although the claim is disputed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the SJC claims the di ...

from 1960 to 1972. He was appointed by Governor

Foster Furcolo John Foster Furcolo (July 29, 1911 – July 5, 1995) was an American lawyer, writer, and Democratic Party politician from Massachusetts. He was the state's 60th governor, and also represented the state as a member of the United States House of ...

Early life, education, and career

Born in

Boston Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- mo ...

Massachusetts Massachusetts (Massachusett language, Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut assachusett writing systems, məhswatʃəwiːsət'' English: , ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous U.S. state, state in the New England ...

, Spiegel attended

The English High School The English High School of Boston, Massachusetts, United States, is one of the first public high schools in America, founded in 1821. Originally called The English Classical School, it was renamed The English High School upon its first relocation ...

, and received his law degree from

Boston University School of Law Boston University School of Law (Boston Law or BU Law) is the law school of Boston University, a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts. It is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the United States and considered an eli ...

in 1922.Gregory Witcher, "Justice Jacob Spiegel, 83; served 12 years on Mass. Supreme Court", ''

The Boston Globe ''The Boston Globe'' is an American daily newspaper founded and based in Boston, Massachusetts. The newspaper has won a total of 27 Pulitzer Prizes, and has a total circulation of close to 300,000 print and digital subscribers. ''The Boston Glob ...

'' (April 11, 1984), p. 31. In 1936, Spiegel worked for the Senate campaign of

Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. (July 5, 1902 – February 27, 1985) was an American diplomat and Republican United States senator from Massachusetts in both Senate seats in non-consecutive terms of service and a United States ambassador. He was considered ...

, and later became Lodge's legislative secretary.

Judicial service

In 1939, Spiegel became a Boston Municipal Court Special Justice,"Bar Leaders Discuss Furcolo Reply to Judge", ''

'' (October 6, 1960), p. 15. appointed to that office by Governor

Leverett Saltonstall Leverett A. Saltonstall (September 1, 1892June 17, 1979) was an American lawyer and politician from Massachusetts. He served three two-year terms as the List of Governors of Massachusetts, 55th Governor of Massachusetts, and for more than twent ...

. Prior to his appointment to the state supreme court, Spiegel was a personal attorney to Governor Furcolo. Spiegel was the first Jewish justice to serve on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, and became known as a champion for

civil rights Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from infringement by governments, social organizations, and private individuals. They ensure one's entitlement to participate in the civil and political life of ...

on the court, writing decisions that "led the way against racial discrimination in housing". In one decision, he opined that "discrimination based on the hope of monetary gain and not upon a personal prejudice is ever more reprehensible". Spiegel resigned from the court upon reaching the statutory age limit.

Personal life and death

In August 1941, Spiegel married Peggy Schwarz of

Beverly Hills, California Beverly Hills is a city located in Los Angeles County, California. A notable and historic suburb of Greater Los Angeles, it is in a wealthy area immediately southwest of the Hollywood Hills, approximately northwest of downtown Los Angeles. B ...

, whom Spiegel had met while travelling aboard the ''

SS America SS ''America'' may refer to: * , a passenger steamer for North German Lloyd, 1863–1894 * , a passenger steamer for Pacific Mail Steamship Company * , a cargo ship that was in Chilean service in 1928, formerly known as the ''George W. Elder''. * ...

'' the previous year."Judge Jacob Spiegel Weds Peggy Schwarz of Beverly Hills, Calif.", ''

'' (August 27, 1941), p. 17. They had one child, a daughter, named Lynne Spiegel born February 28, 1949, now living in San Clemente, CA. Spiegel died in

Brookline, Massachusetts Brookline is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, in the United States, and part of the Greater Boston, Boston metropolitan area. Brookline borders six of Boston's neighborhoods: Brighton, Boston, Brighton, A ...

, at the age of 83.

References

1902 births 1984 deaths People from Boston Boston University School of Law alumni Justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court {{US-state-judge-stub