Claude Feemster Clayton

Who was Claude Feemster Clayton?

Claude Feemster Clayton was a United States federal judge.

Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, Clayton received an LL.B. from the University of Mississippi Law School in 1931. He was in private practice in Tupelo, Mississippi from 1931 to 1935, and was a prosecuting attorney for Lee County, Mississippi from 1935 to 1938. He was a Circuit judge, First Circuit Court District, Mississippi from 1938 to 1942. He was in the United States Army from 1942 to 1945 returning to private practice in Tupelo from 1945 to 1958. He was a Tupelo city attorney from 1949 to 1953.

On February 24, 1958, Clayton was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi vacated by Elijah Allen Cox. Clayton was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 4, 1958, and received his commission on March 12, 1958. He served as chief judge from 1966 to 1967. Clayton's service was terminated on November 23, 1967, due to appointment to another judicial position.

On October 16, 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Clayton to a new seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit created by 80 Stat. 75. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 26, 1967, and received his commission the following day. He served until his death.