Edward Matthew Curran

Edward Matthew Curran (May 10, 1903 – January 10, 1988) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

Edward Matthew Curran
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia
In office April 2, 1971 – January 10, 1988
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia
In office 1966–1971
Preceded by	Richmond Bowling Keech
Succeeded by	John Sirica
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia
In office October 16, 1946 – April 2, 1971
Appointed by	Harry S. Truman
Preceded by	Daniel William O'Donoghue
Succeeded by	Charles Robert Richey
United States Attorney for the District of Columbia
In office 1940–1946
President	Franklin D. Roosevelt Harry S. Truman
Preceded by	David Andrew Pine
Succeeded by	George M. Fay
Personal details
Born	Edward Matthew Curran (1903-05-10)May 10, 1903 Bangor, Maine
Died	January 10, 1988(1988-01-10) (aged 84)
Education	University of Maine (A.B.) Columbus School of Law (LL.B.)

Education and career

Born in Bangor, Maine, Curran received a Bachelor of Laws from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America in 1927 and an Artium Baccalaureus degree from the University of Maine in 1928. He was in private practice in Washington, D.C. from 1928 to 1934, and was an assistant corporation counsel for the District of Columbia from 1934 to 1936. He was a Judge of the District of Columbia Police Court from 1936 to 1940, and then served as the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia from 1940 to 1946.

Federal judicial service

Curran received a recess appointment from President Harry S. Truman on October 16, 1946, to an Associate Justice seat on the District Court of the United States for the District of Columbia (Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia after June 25, 1948) vacated by Judge Daniel William O`Donoghue. He was nominated to the same position by President Truman on January 8, 1947. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 3, 1947, and received his commission on February 5, 1947. He served as Chief Judge from 1966 to 1971. He was a member of the Judicial Conference of the United States from 1968 to 1971. He assumed senior status on April 2, 1971. His service terminated on January 10, 1988, due to his death.

Notable case

Curran presided over the trial of Mildred Gillars (aka Axis Sally) for treason in 1949. Gillars was coincidentally also born in Maine (Portland).

Sources

• Edward Matthew Curran at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.