Henry Boyce

Who was Henry Boyce?

Henry Boyce was a United States federal judge.

Born in Derry, Ireland, Boyce read law to enter the bar in 1820. He began a private practice in Bayou Leche, Louisiana by 1824, and was then in Alexandria, Louisiana from 1824 to 1828. He was a planter in Rapides Parish, Louisiana from 1828, maintaining that occupation until his death in 1873. He was a judge on the State Circuit Court of Louisiana from 1834 to 1839. He was the United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana in 1849.

On May 9, 1849, Boyce received a recess appointment from Zachary Taylor to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana created by 9 Stat. 401. Formally nominated on December 21, 1849, Boyce was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 2, 1850, and received his commission the same day. Boyce's served in that capacity until his resignation from the bench on February 19, 1861.

He was a member of the Louisiana State Legislature in 1865, and the legislature elected him to United States Senate from Louisiana. However, the U.S. Senate refused to seat Boyce.