Philip J. Durkin (October 21, 1903 – January 15, 1992) was an American jurist and politician who served as a judge of the Salem District Court from 1957 to 1973 and a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1949 to 1957.
Philip J. Durkin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Presiding Justice of the Salem District Court | |
| In office 1964–1973 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph B. Harrington |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Zoll |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 10th Essex district | |
| In office 1949–1957 | |
| Preceded by | Arthur B. Carney Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Henry W. Hallinan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 21, 1903 Salem, Massachusetts |
| Died | January 15, 1992 Largo, Florida |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Boston University School of Business Administration Suffolk Law School |
| Occupation | Lawyer State legislator Judge |
Early life
editDurkin was born on October 21, 1903, in Salem, Massachusetts. He graduated from Salem High School in 1923, the Boston University School of Business Administration in 1927, and Suffolk Law School in 1930.[1]
Political career
editFrom 1933 to 1949, Durkin was a member of the Salem City Council. From 1940 to 1941 he was the council president. In 1948 he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives.[1]
Judicial career
editIn August 1957, Durkin, who had been an avid supporter of Governor Foster Furcolo's failed 3% sales tax, was appointed an associate justice of the Salem District Court by Furcolo.[2] In 1964 he was elevated to presiding justice by Governor Endicott Peabody.[3] In 1972, Massachusetts voters passed a Constitutional Amendment requiring the retirement of judges at age 70, which forced Durkin into retirement the following year.[4]
Later life
editDurkin spent his later years in Beverly, Massachusetts, and Largo, Florida. He died on January 15, 1992, at his winter home in Largo.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b Public Officers of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1957-1958. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "Three Major State Posts Go to Sales Tax Backers". The Boston Daily Globe. August 8, 1957.
- ^ a b "Philip J. Durkin, 88 Was Salem District Court judge". The Boston Globe. January 17, 1992.
- ^ "40% turnover of judges possible". The Boston Globe. June 25, 1972.