Archibald Cox

Archibald Cox, Jr., (May 12, 1912 – May 29, 2004), a native of Plainfield, New Jersey, and son of Archibald and Frances Perkins Cox, was an American lawyer who served as U.S. Solicitor General under President John F. Kennedy. He became best known as the first special prosecutor for the Watergate scandal.

Related Topics:
May 12 - 1912 - May 29 - 2004 - Plainfield, New Jersey - American - Lawyer - U.S. Solicitor General - John F. Kennedy - Special prosecutor - Watergate scandal

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Cox graduated from Harvard Law School in 1937, and joined the Boston law firm of Ropes, Gray, Best, Coolidge and Rugg. During World War II, he was appointed to the National Defense Board, and then to the Office of the Solicitor General.

Related Topics:
Harvard Law School - 1937 - Boston - National Defense Board

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After the war ended, Cox joined the faculty at Harvard, where he taught courses in torts and in administrative, constitutional, and labor law. During that time, he also became an adviser and speech-writer for John F. Kennedy, who was at that time U.S. senator from Massachusetts. In 1961, Cox joined the new Kennedy administration as solicitor general. In 1965, he returned to the law school.

Related Topics:
Tort - Administrative - Constitutional - Labor law - U.S. senator - Massachusetts - 1961 - 1965

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In May 1973, Cox took another leave to accept appointment as the first Watergate special prosecutor. On October 20, 1973, in an event termed the Saturday Night Massacre, U.S. President Richard Nixon ordered Cox fired, due to Cox's insistence on obtaining secret White House tapes. Rather than comply with this order, both Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus resigned. The order was ultimately carried out by the Solicitor General, Robert Bork. Upon being fired, Cox stated simply:

Related Topics:
May - 1973 - October 20 - Saturday Night Massacre - Richard Nixon - Attorney General - Elliot Richardson - William Ruckelshaus - Robert Bork

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:Whether ours shall be a government of laws and not of men is now for Congress and ultimately the American people.

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The firing of Cox illustrated the need for independent counsels — prosecutors specifically appointed to investigate official misconduct. After Nixon's resignation, Cox became chairman of Common Cause, and was made an honorary member of the Order of the Coif in 1991.

Related Topics:
Independent counsel - Common Cause - Order of the Coif - 1991

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Cox died at his home in Brooksville, Maine of natural causes on the same day as Sam Dash, chief counsel to the House Judiciary Committee during the Watergate scandal.

Related Topics:
Brooksville, Maine - Sam Dash - House Judiciary Committee

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The New York Times wrote in his obituary:

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:A gaunt 6-footer who wore three-piece suits, Mr. Cox was often described as 'ramrod straight,' not only because of his bearing but also because of his personality.

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Cox was the great-grandson of William M. Evarts who defended President Andrew Johnson during his impeachment hearing and became Secretary of State in the Hayes administration.

Related Topics:
William M. Evarts - Andrew Johnson - Secretary of State - Hayes

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