Preceded by George Wetmore Appointed by James Garfield Party Republican Party Preceded by John Lowell Role Judge | Appointed by Chester Arthur Name LeBaron Colt Preceded by Seat established Preceded by John Knowles Succeeded by Jesse H. Metcalf | |
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Died August 18, 1924, Bristol, Rhode Island, United States Education Columbia Law School, Yale College, Yale University | ||
LeBaron Bradford Colt (June 25, 1846 – August 18, 1924) was a United States Senator from Rhode Island and a federal court judge on the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, the United States Circuit Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
Biography
He was born in Dedham, Massachusetts to Christopher Colt (the brother of arms maker Samuel Colt) and Theodora Goujand DeWolf Colt; his younger brother, Samuel P. Colt, was a prominent Rhode Island businessman and politician. LeBaron Colt attended the public schools and Williston Seminary. He received an A.B. from Yale University in 1868, where he was a member of Skull and Bones and an LL.B. from Columbia Law School in 1870.
After getting his law degree, Colt devoted a year to European travel. Once he returned, he was admitted to the bar and commenced practicing law in Chicago. In 1875, he moved to Bristol, Rhode Island, and started practicing law in Providence.
From 1879 to 1881, Colt was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives.
On March 9, 1881, President James A. Garfield nominated Colt to the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island. The Senate confirmed him on March 21. Three years later, Colt was elevated to the United States Circuit Court for the First Circuit, with President Chester A. Arthur nominating him on July 2, 1884 and Senate confirmation on July 5. On June 15, 1891, Colt was reassigned to the newly created United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit by the Judiciary Act of 1891.
In 1913, Colt was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate by the Rhode Island legislature. On February 7, he resigned from the appellate court, and on March 4, he was sworn in as Senator.
From 1917 to 1919, Colt was chairman of the Senate Committee on Conservation of Natural Resources. From 1919 until his death, he was chairman of the Committee on Immigration.
Colt died on August 18, 1924 in Bristol. He was buried in Juniper Hill Cemetery.