Robert F. Chapman

Who is Robert F. Chapman?

Robert Foster Chapman was a United States federal judge.

Born in Inman, South Carolina, Chapman was an Ensign in the United States Navy during World War II, from 1943 to 1946. He received a B.S. from University of South Carolina in 1945, and an LL.B. from University of South Carolina Law School in 1949. He was in private practice in Spartanburg, South Carolina from 1949 to 1951, then returned to the United States Navy as a Lieutenant from 1951 to 1953 before returning to private practice in Spartanburg until 1971.

On May 18, 1971, Chapman was nominated by President Richard M. Nixon to a new seat on the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina created by 84 Stat. 294. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 26, 1971, and received his commission on May 27, 1971. After a decade of service on that court, Chapman was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on July 16, 1981 for elevation to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit vacated by Clement Furman Haynsworth, Jr.. Chapman was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 16, 1981, receiving his commission on September 19, 1981.