Roger J. Traynor

Roger John Traynor (February 12, 1900 - May 14, 1983) served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California from 1964 to 1970. Before that, he served as an Associate Justice from 1940 to 1964.

Personal information

Traynor was born and raised in the rugged mining town of Park City, Utah by Felix and Elizabeth Traynor{{ref|ledbetter}}. He entered the University of California, Berkeley on a scholarship in 1919, and went on to earn a B.A. and a Ph.D. in political science, as well as a J.D. He earned the two latter degrees at the same time, while teaching undergraduates and serving as editor-in-chief of the California Law Review, and graduated in 1927.

Related Topics:
Mining - Park City, Utah - University of California, Berkeley - 1919 - B.A. - Ph.D. - Political science - J.D. - 1927

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He married Madeleine Emilie Lackman, with whom he had two children{{ref|anonymous}}.

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On January 2, 1970, Traynor announced his retirement in order to avoid losing eligibility for retirement benefits under a California law that stripped judges of most benefits if they chose to remain on the bench past the age of 70{{ref|anonymous}}. He retired to Berkeley and subsequently died there in his home from cancer.

Related Topics:
January 2 - 1970 - Berkeley - Cancer

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In July of 1983, the California Law Review gave over all its space in issue 4, volume 71 to publishing eloquent tributes to Justice Traynor from several esteemed judges, law professors, and politicians, including Warren Burger {{ref|burger}}, Henry Friendly {{ref|friendly}}, and Edmund G. Brown {{ref|brown}}.

Related Topics:
Warren Burger - Henry Friendly - Edmund G. Brown

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