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