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{{Short description|American judge}}
{{Short description|American judge}}
'''Edward Henry Durell''' (July 14, 1810 – March 29, 1887) was the 25th mayor of [[New Orleans]], and later a [[United States federal judge]].<ref>"Biographical Directory of Federal Judges: Durell, Edward Henry." History of Federal Judiciary. Federal Judicial Center, n.d. Web. 4 April 2013.</ref>
'''Edward Henry Durell''' (July 14, 1810 – March 29, 1887) was the 25th Mayor of [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]] and a [[United States federal judge|United States District Judge]] of the [[United States District Court for the District of Louisiana]] and the [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana]].


==Education and career==
Born in the "[[Wentworth–Coolidge Mansion|Governor Wentworth House]]" in [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]], Durell was the third son and sixth child from his parents. After studying at [[Phillips Exeter Academy]] Durell moved on to school at [[Harvard College]] where he graduated in 1831.<ref>Metcalf, Henry H. "Hon. Edward Henry Durell." The Granite Monthly New Hampshire Magazine: Devoted to Literature, History, and State Progress. 1888: 117–129. Print.</ref> He was fluent in German, French, and Spanish.<ref name="auto">"District Judge Edward Henry Durell." LAED US Courts. United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, n.d. Web. 4 April 2013.</ref> At [[Harvard College]] he [[read law]] to enter the Bar in 1834. He had a private practice in [[Pittsburg, Mississippi]], and on January 1, 1836 he moved to [[New Orleans, Louisiana]]. He became a member of the City Council of New Orleans in 1854. In 1845, Durell's book, ''New Orleans as I found it'', was published. under the pen name H. Didimus. The book deals with Durell's experience when arriving at New Orleans and how things are different from other places in the United States.<ref>Durell, Edward H. New Orleans as I found it. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1845. Print.</ref> From 1862 to 1863, he was president of the Bureau of Finance of New Orleans.


Born on July 14, 1810, in the [[Wentworth–Coolidge Mansion|Governor Wentworth House]] in [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire|Portsmouth]], [[New Hampshire]],<ref>{{FJC Bio|668|nid=1380291|name=Edward Henry Durell<!--(1810–1887)-->}}</ref><ref>Metcalf, Henry H. "Hon. Edward Henry Durell." The Granite Monthly New Hampshire Magazine: Devoted to Literature, History, and State Progress. 1888: 117–129. Print.</ref> Durrell attended [[Phillips Exeter Academy]],<ref>Metcalf, Henry H. "Hon. Edward Henry Durell." The Granite Monthly New Hampshire Magazine: Devoted to Literature, History, and State Progress. 1888: 117–129. Print.</ref> then graduated from [[Harvard University]] in 1831, and [[read law]] in 1834.<ref>{{FJC Bio|668|nid=1380291|name=Edward Henry Durell<!--(1810–1887)-->}}</ref> He was fluent in [[German language|German]], [[French language|French]] and [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="auto">"District Judge Edward Henry Durell." LAED US Courts. United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, n.d. Web. 4 April 2013.</ref> He entered private practice in [[Pittsburgh, Mississippi|Pittsburgh]], [[Mississippi]] and [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]] from 1835 to 1854.<ref>{{FJC Bio|668|nid=1380291|name=Edward Henry Durell<!--(1810–1887)-->}}</ref> He was a member of the New Orleans City Council in 1854.<ref>{{FJC Bio|668|nid=1380291|name=Edward Henry Durell<!--(1810–1887)-->}}</ref> He resumed private practice in New Orleans.<ref>{{FJC Bio|668|nid=1380291|name=Edward Henry Durell<!--(1810–1887)-->}}</ref> He was President of the Bureau of Finance in New Orleans from 1862 to 1863.<ref>{{FJC Bio|668|nid=1380291|name=Edward Henry Durell<!--(1810–1887)-->}}</ref> He was the 25th Mayor of New Orleans in 1863.<ref>{{FJC Bio|668|nid=1380291|name=Edward Henry Durell<!--(1810–1887)-->}}</ref> Durrell was a member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]].<ref>https://www.fjc.gov/content/why-judges-resign-influences-federal-judicial-service-1789-1992-0</ref>
⚫
On May 20, 1863, Durell received a [[recess appointment]] from President [[Abraham Lincoln]] to a seat on the [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana]] vacated by [[Theodore Howard McCaleb]]. While sitting on the court, Durell became mayor of New Orleans on September 12, 1863, and held the office for just over a month and a half, until October 30. Durell was formally nominated to the court on February 8, 1864, and was confirmed by the [[United States Senate]], and received his commission, on February 17, 1864. On July 27, 1866, the Districts of Louisiana were reunited into a single [[United States District Court for the District of Louisiana]] by 14 Stat. 300, and Durell was reassigned to this court by [[operation of law]]. He thereafter presided over the single district of Louisiana until his resignation on December 4, 1874.<ref name="auto"/> Published in 1867, Durell participated in the formation of ''Rules, orders and regulations in bankruptcy : adopted by the Hon. Edward H. Durell, Judge of the District Court of the United States, for the District of Louisiana, July 15, 1867.'' This book consists of 24 adopted rules that deal with bankruptcy.<ref>Durell, Edward H, United States. Rules, orders and regulations in bankruptcy : adopted by the Hon. Edward H. Durell, Judge of the District Court of the United States, for the District of Louisiana, July 15, 1867. New Orleans: The Republican. 1867. Web.</ref>


==Federal judicial service==
On December 1, 1874, Durell had written a letter to his sisters in his home state of New Hampshire mentioning how throughout his judicial career he only meant to do right. However, that same day he sent President Ulysses S. Grant his resignation letter because he felt local people had lost faith in him. While Durell was a federal judge, he strongly enforced the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and was the first judge to have former slaves serve on a jury alongside whites. Edward Henry Durell had settled a case in one man's favor, resulting in a political vendetta. After the case, the United States House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach Durell on local accusations of drunkenness and corruption.<ref name="auto"/>


Durrell was nominated by President Lincoln to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on January 5, 1864. The Senate returned the nomination to the President on February 3, 1864.<ref>{{FJC Bio|668|nid=1380291|name=Edward Henry Durell<!--(1810–1887)-->}}</ref>
After his resignation, Durell had moved to New York City, where he married a widow, Mary Seitz Gebhart, continued to practice law, and attempted to write a history of the South which was never completed. Edward Henry Durell died on March 29, 1887 and is buried in the Pine Hill Cemetery in Dover, New Hampshire.<ref name="auto"/>

Durrell received a [[recess appointment]] from President [[Abraham Lincoln]] on May 20, 1863, to a seat on the [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana]] vacated by Judge [[Theodore Howard McCaleb]].<ref>{{FJC Bio|668|nid=1380291|name=Edward Henry Durell<!--(1810–1887)-->}}</ref> He was nominated to the same position by President Lincoln on February 8, 1864.<ref>{{FJC Bio|668|nid=1380291|name=Edward Henry Durell<!--(1810–1887)-->}}</ref> He was confirmed by the [[United States Senate]] on February 17, 1864, and received his commission the same day.<ref>{{FJC Bio|668|nid=1380291|name=Edward Henry Durell<!--(1810–1887)-->}}</ref> Durrell was reassigned by [[operation of law]] to the [[United States District Court for the District of Louisiana]] on July 27, 1866, to a new seat authorized by 14 Stat. 300.<ref>{{FJC Bio|668|nid=1380291|name=Edward Henry Durell<!--(1810–1887)-->}}</ref> His service terminated on December 4, 1874, due to his resignation.<ref>{{FJC Bio|668|nid=1380291|name=Edward Henry Durell<!--(1810–1887)-->}}</ref>

===Circumstances of his resignation===

Durrell resigned after the [[United States House Committee on the Judiciary]] voted to recommend to the full [[United States House of Representatives]] that he be impeached for misconduct.<ref>https://www.fjc.gov/content/why-judges-resign-influences-federal-judicial-service-1789-1992-0</ref> Durrell had been accused of irregularities in bankruptcy proceedings, corruption and drunkenness.<ref>https://www.fjc.gov/content/why-judges-resign-influences-federal-judicial-service-1789-1992-0</ref><ref name="auto"/>

==Later career and death==

Following his resignation from the federal bench, Durrell returned to private practice in [[Newburgh, New York|Newburgh]] and [[Schoharie, New York|Schoharie]], [[New York (state)|New York]] from 1875 to 1877.<ref>{{FJC Bio|668|nid=1380291|name=Edward Henry Durell<!--(1810–1887)-->}}</ref> He died on March 29, 1887, in Schoharie.<ref>{{FJC Bio|668|nid=1380291|name=Edward Henry Durell<!--(1810–1887)-->}}</ref> He was interred in [[Pine Hill Cemetery (Dover, New Hampshire)|Pine Hill Cemetery]] in [[Dover, New Hampshire|Dover]], New Hampshire.<ref name="auto"/> He attempted to write a history of the South which was never completed.<ref name="auto"/>

==Personal==

After moving to New York, Durell married a widow, Mary Seitz Gebhart.<ref name="auto"/>

==Books==

⚫
In 1845, Durell's book, ''New Orleans as I Found It'', was published under the pen name H. Didimus. The book deals with Durell's experience when arriving at New Orleans and how things are different from other places in the United States.<ref>Durell, Edward H. New Orleans as I found it. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1845. Print.</ref> Published in 1867, Durell participated in the formation of ''Rules, Orders and Regulations in Bankruptcy : Adopted by the Hon. Edward H. Durell, Judge of the District Court of the United States, for the District of Louisiana, July 15, 1867.'' This book consists of 24 adopted rules that deal with bankruptcy.<ref>Durell, Edward H, United States. Rules, orders and regulations in bankruptcy : adopted by the Hon. Edward H. Durell, Judge of the District Court of the United States, for the District of Louisiana, July 15, 1867. New Orleans: The Republican. 1867. Web.</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 04:12, 18 May 2019

Edward Henry Durell (July 14, 1810 – March 29, 1887) was the 25th Mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana and a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Louisiana and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Education and career

Born on July 14, 1810, in the Governor Wentworth House in Portsmouth, New Hampshire,[1][2] Durrell attended Phillips Exeter Academy,[3] then graduated from Harvard University in 1831, and read law in 1834.[4] He was fluent in German, French and Spanish.[5] He entered private practice in Pittsburgh, Mississippi and New Orleans, Louisiana from 1835 to 1854.[6] He was a member of the New Orleans City Council in 1854.[7] He resumed private practice in New Orleans.[8] He was President of the Bureau of Finance in New Orleans from 1862 to 1863.[9] He was the 25th Mayor of New Orleans in 1863.[10] Durrell was a member of the Republican Party.[11]

Federal judicial service

Durrell was nominated by President Lincoln to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on January 5, 1864. The Senate returned the nomination to the President on February 3, 1864.[12]

Durrell received a recess appointment from President Abraham Lincoln on May 20, 1863, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana vacated by Judge Theodore Howard McCaleb.[13] He was nominated to the same position by President Lincoln on February 8, 1864.[14] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 17, 1864, and received his commission the same day.[15] Durrell was reassigned by operation of law to the United States District Court for the District of Louisiana on July 27, 1866, to a new seat authorized by 14 Stat. 300.[16] His service terminated on December 4, 1874, due to his resignation.[17]

Circumstances of his resignation

Durrell resigned after the United States House Committee on the Judiciary voted to recommend to the full United States House of Representatives that he be impeached for misconduct.[18] Durrell had been accused of irregularities in bankruptcy proceedings, corruption and drunkenness.[19][5]

Later career and death

Following his resignation from the federal bench, Durrell returned to private practice in Newburgh and Schoharie, New York from 1875 to 1877.[20] He died on March 29, 1887, in Schoharie.[21] He was interred in Pine Hill Cemetery in Dover, New Hampshire.[5] He attempted to write a history of the South which was never completed.[5]

Personal

After moving to New York, Durell married a widow, Mary Seitz Gebhart.[5]

Books

In 1845, Durell's book, New Orleans as I Found It, was published under the pen name H. Didimus. The book deals with Durell's experience when arriving at New Orleans and how things are different from other places in the United States.[22] Published in 1867, Durell participated in the formation of Rules, Orders and Regulations in Bankruptcy : Adopted by the Hon. Edward H. Durell, Judge of the District Court of the United States, for the District of Louisiana, July 15, 1867. This book consists of 24 adopted rules that deal with bankruptcy.[23]

References

  1. ^ Edward Henry Durell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  2. ^ Metcalf, Henry H. "Hon. Edward Henry Durell." The Granite Monthly New Hampshire Magazine: Devoted to Literature, History, and State Progress. 1888: 117–129. Print.
  3. ^ Metcalf, Henry H. "Hon. Edward Henry Durell." The Granite Monthly New Hampshire Magazine: Devoted to Literature, History, and State Progress. 1888: 117–129. Print.
  4. ^ Edward Henry Durell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  5. ^ a b c d e "District Judge Edward Henry Durell." LAED US Courts. United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, n.d. Web. 4 April 2013.
  6. ^ Edward Henry Durell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  7. ^ Edward Henry Durell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  8. ^ Edward Henry Durell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  9. ^ Edward Henry Durell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  10. ^ Edward Henry Durell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  11. ^ https://www.fjc.gov/content/why-judges-resign-influences-federal-judicial-service-1789-1992-0
  12. ^ Edward Henry Durell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  13. ^ Edward Henry Durell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  14. ^ Edward Henry Durell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  15. ^ Edward Henry Durell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  16. ^ Edward Henry Durell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  17. ^ Edward Henry Durell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  18. ^ https://www.fjc.gov/content/why-judges-resign-influences-federal-judicial-service-1789-1992-0
  19. ^ https://www.fjc.gov/content/why-judges-resign-influences-federal-judicial-service-1789-1992-0
  20. ^ Edward Henry Durell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  21. ^ Edward Henry Durell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  22. ^ Durell, Edward H. New Orleans as I found it. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1845. Print.
  23. ^ Durell, Edward H, United States. Rules, orders and regulations in bankruptcy : adopted by the Hon. Edward H. Durell, Judge of the District Court of the United States, for the District of Louisiana, July 15, 1867. New Orleans: The Republican. 1867. Web.

Sources

Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of New Orleans
1863–1863 		Succeeded by
Legal offices
Preceded by Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
1863–1866 		Succeeded by
Seat abolished
Preceded by
Seat established by 14 Stat. 300
 Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Louisiana
1866–1874 		Succeeded by
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