William Henry Duckworth

Description: Georgia's longest ever serving Chief Justice of the Georgia State Supreme Court

Born: October 21, 1894

Died: August 9, 1969

Birthplace: Union County, GA

Resting Place: Decatur Cemetery, Decatur, GA

Occupation: Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court; Chairman of the National Conference of Chief Justices; State Senator; Attorney

Spouse(s): Willabel Pilcher Duckworth

Children: Mary Duckworth Gellerstedt; Dorothy Duckworth Williams; William Henry Duckworth, Jr

Parents: John Francis Duckworth; Laura Jane Noblet Duckworth

Awards: The courtroom in the Union County Historical Courthouse is named partly named in his honor, along with longtime Supreme Court associate, Thomas Slaughter Candler. The former Duckworth Library at Young Harris College was partly named in his honor, alongside his brother, James Lon Duckworth

Facts of Interest: 1. He served in the role as Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court longer than anyone else in history. 2. He was a key decider in Georgia's "3-Governor Controversy" which still stands today as one of Georgia's most conflicting legal battles in state history. 3. The former Duckworth Library at Young Harris College was named in he and his brother's honor and memory. 4. He practiced law with his once best friend, former Young Harris College classmate, and former Georgia State Governor, E.D. Rivers. 5. He earned his law degree through a correspondence course at the University of Chicago, Lasalle.