Townsend Scudder

Who was Townsend Scudder?

Townsend Scudder was a United States Representative from New York. Born in Northport, he was a nephew of Henry Joel Scudder, also a U.S. Representative from New York. Townsend attended preparatory schools in Europe and was graduated from Columbia Law School in 1888; he was admitted to the bar in 1889 and commenced practice in New York City. He was corporation counsel for Queens County from 1893 to 1899, and was elected as a Democrat to the 56th United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1899 to March 3, 1901. He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1900 and resumed the practice of law. He was elected to the 58th United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1903, to March 3, 1905.

Scudder was a justice of the New York Supreme Court from 1907 to 1920, and afterwards again resumed the practice of law in New York City. In 1921, he was defeated for the New York Court of Appeals by Republican William S. Andrews. He was State park commissioner and vice president of the Long Island State Park Commission from 1924 to 1927. He was appointed to the New York Supreme Court by Governor Alfred E.