Oil on canvas, 30 x 25 in., by John D. Slavin, 1940
Location: courtroom, right

Born September 18, 1885 in Martinsville, Virginia
Died March 21, 1951 in Richmond, Virginia

Appointed by Governor William M. Tuck on August 28, 1947 to fill the vacancy created by the death of George L. Browning and began his service on October 7, 1947. Elected by the General Assembly on January 28, 1948 to complete the unexpired term of Justice Browning. Service terminated by resignation.

Education:
Washington and Lee University, LL.B., 1908

Professional career:
Private practice of law in Roanoke, Virginia, 1908-1934
Virginia state senator, 1928-1931
Attorney General of Virginia, 1934-1947

Sources:
Appointed, “Abram Staples Is Named to Va. Court Post,” The Washington Post (1923-1954) [Washington, D.C.], August 29, 1947: B1; qualified, 186 Va., iii; elected, Journal of the Senate of Virginia, 1948 Session, 80; resigned, 192 Va., iii; birth, education, and career, transcript of memorial and portrait presentation on April 21, 1952, published in 193 Va., lxxix-ci; portrait, Ray O. Hummel, Jr., and Katherine M. Smith, Portraits and Statuary of Virginians Owned by the Virginia State Library, the Medical College of Virginia, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and Other State Agencies (Richmond, Va.: The Virginia State Library, 1977), 116. See also, “Abram Staples, Ex-Virginia Judge, Dies,” The Washington Post (1923-1954) [Washington, D.C.], March 22, 1951: B2.