About Samuel James Ervin, Jr.

Here is a brief biography of Sam Ervin.

General Information

• Born September 27, 1896 in Morganton, North Carolina, the son of Laura Theresa (Powe) and Samuel James Ervin.
• Member, First Presbyterian Church of Morganton, where he served as Deacon and Elder.
• Married Margaret Bruce Bell on June 18, 1924.
• Children: Samuel James Ervin III, Leslie Ervin (now Mrs. Gerald M. Hansler) and Laura Ervin (now Mrs. William E. Smith).

Education

• Bachelor of Arts, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1917)
• Bachelor of Laws, Harvard University (1922)

Military Service

• World War I: First Division, U.S. Army as Lieutenant and infantryman at Cantigny and Soissons
• Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, and two Purple Hearts

Honors

• Member, Dialectic Society, UNC-Chapel Hill
• Paul White Award, Radio Television Digital News Association (1972)

Public Service

• Admitted to North Carolina Bar (1919)
• Practiced Law in Burke County (1922-1985)
• Representative, North Carolina General Assembly (elected 1922, 1924, and 1930)
• Judge, Burke County Criminal Court (1935-1937)
• Judge, North Carolina Superior Court (1937-1943)
• Representative, United States House of Representatives (1946-1947)
• Associate Justice, North Carolina Supreme Court (1948-1954)
• Senator, United States Senate (1954-1974)
  • Chair, Committee on Government Operations
  • Chair, Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities (a.k.a. The Watergate Committee)
• Author of a number of books, including
  •  Humor of a Country Lawyer
  • Preserving the Constitution: The Autobiography of Senator Sam Ervin
  • The Whole Truth: Watergate