Walter Smith Cox

Who was Walter Smith Cox?

Walter Smith Cox was a United States federal judge.

Born in Georgetown, District of Columbia, Cox received a B.A. from Georgetown College in 1843, an M.A. from the same institution in 1844, and a B.L. from Harvard Law School in 1847. He was in private practice in Washington, D.C., from 1848 to 1879, and during that period was also a recorder for the City of Georgetown, an Alderman for the City of Georgetown, and an auditor of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. From 1874 to 1879, he was a professor of law at what was then called Columbian University, known today as The George Washington University, in Washington, D.C..

On February 26, 1879, Cox was nominated by President Rutherford B. Hayes to a new seat on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia created by 20 Stat. 320. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 1, 1879, and received his commission the same day. During his service, he presided over the trial of Charles J. Guiteau, the assassin of President James A. Garfield. Cox retired from the federal bench on July 1, 1899, and returned to his previous teaching position.