J Lee Rankin

Early life

Rankin was born in Hartington, Nebraska, the son of Herman P. and Lois Gable Rankin. He attended public schools, and earned both his undergraduate and law degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. In 1930 Rankin was admitted to the bar in Nebraska and began the practice of law in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Known for his straightforward, quiet, and friendly demeanor, Rankin (known to his friends and colleagues as Lee), loved to tend roses, play the piccolo, and was an enthusiastic amateur photographer. In 1935, he became a partner and worked with the firm for over 20 years.

Career

Rankin served as Solicitor General from 1956 to 1961. In 1952, Rankin managed the Dwight Eisenhower for President campaign in Nebraska and in 1953, Eisenhower selected Rankin to serve as United States Assistant Attorney General.

In 1953, he was appointed Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Office of Legal Counsel. In this capacity, Rankin may best be remembered for arguing in favor of the African-American plaintiffs in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), advocating that the doctrine of “separate-but-equal” facilities for blacks and whites was unconstitutional. After the Supreme Court’s ruling in Brown, Rankin argued in a presentation before the Court that the effort to desegregate schools should take place gradually in an effort to avoid any violence that might arise from the decision. Accordingly, he suggested the plan by which local school districts submitted desegregation plans to federal judges in their states. In addition, Rankin argued a great range of other important cases before the Supreme Court. He was instrumental in resolving conflicting claims among Western states to the Colorado River, and in establishing a balance of federal and state jurisdictions in offshore oil drilling.

On August 14, 1956, Rankin was appointed U.S. Solicitor General. In response to lawsuits in many states arising out of legislative reapportionment fights, he developed the Justice Department’s position that led to the principle of one man, one vote. After serving as solicitor general from August 1956 to January 1961, Rankin represented the American Civil Liberties Union in advancing the landmark case, Gideon v. Wainwright, solidifying the right of an indigent person accused of a crime to have legal counsel at public expense.

Following President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, Rankin was the unanimous choice of the Warren Commission to serve as general counsel in the inquiry that concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald had acted alone in killing President Kennedy. He was credited with redrafting and editing the commission’s voluminous report into a work of polished prose. Subsequently, Rankin practiced law in New York City until the 1970s, working seven years as the New York City Corporation Counsel (1966-1972).

Later life

Upon retirement, Rankin and his wife of 63 years, Gertrude, moved to Weston, Connecticut, where they had a summer home. In 1993, they relocated to their home in Los Gatos, California. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin had two sons, James Jr. and Roger C., and one daughter, Sara Stadler; six grandchildren, Todd, Stephanie, Russell, Andrew, Amy, and Justin; and four great-grandchildren, Camden, Thomas, Hannah, and Faith.

Rankin died on June 26, 1996 in Santa Cruz, California. He is interred at Santa Cruz Memorial Park in Santa Cruz.