F. Ryan Duffy

Francis Ryan Duffy
United States Senator from Wisconsin
In office March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1939
Preceded by	John J. Blaine
Succeeded by	Alexander Wiley
Personal details
Born	(1888-06-23)June 23, 1888 Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Died	August 16, 1979(1979-08-16) (aged 91) Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Political party	Democratic

Francis Ryan Duffy (June 23, 1888 – August 16, 1979) was a member of the Democratic Party who served in the United States Senate for the state of Wisconsin from 1933 to 1939 and later a United States federal judge.

Biography

Duffy was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1910, received an LL.B. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1912. After working in private practice in Fond du Lac from 1912 to 1917, he served in the United States Army from 1917 to 1919. He resumed the practice of law after his service.

Duffy was then elected to the United States Senate, serving as a senator from Wisconsin from 1933 to 1939.

After serving Wisconsin in the United States Senate, Duffy was nominated to be a Judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 21, 1939 to a seat vacated by Ferdinand August Geiger. He was duly confirmed by the Senate on June 29, 1939.

In 1949 Duffy was nominated to be a Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit by President Harry S. Truman on January 13, 1949 to a seat vacated by Evan Alfred Evans. He was confirmed by the Senate on January 31, 1949 and received his commission on February 2. In 1954 he became Chief Judge of that same court, serving until 1959. He assumed senior status in 1966, remaining on the Court until his death.

Duffy died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, aged 91. He is buried at the Calvary Cemetery in Fond du Lac.

Sources

• United States Congress. "F. Ryan Duffy (id: D000518)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

• F. Ryan Duffy at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.