Oil on canvas, by Hugo Stevens, 29 x 24 in., 1961. Location: courtroom, left.

Born June 16, 1903 in Richmond, Virginia.
Died December 23, 1987 in Henrico, Virginia.

Appointed by Governor Thomas B. Stanley on November 21, 1956 to fill the vacancy created by the death of Lemuel F. Smith and began his service on January 14, 1957. Elected by the General Assembly on January 20, 1958 to complete the unexpired term of Smith. Elected on March 6, 1964 to a regular 12-year term beginning February 1, 1965. Service terminated by retirement.

Succeeded John William Eggleston as chief justice when Eggleston retired on October 1, 1969. Service terminated by retirement.

Education:

University of Richmond, B.A., 1925.
University of Richmond, LL.B., 1929.

Other judicial service:

Assistant Trial Justice, Henrico County, 1933-1935.
Trial Justice, Henrico County, 1935-1948.
Judge, Tenth Judicial Circuit, 1948-1957.

Professional career:

Private practice of law in Richmond, Virginia, 1929-1933.

Research collections

Sources:

Appointed, “Snead Gets Virginia High Court Post,” The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959) [Washington, D.C.], November 22, 1956: C1; qualified, 198 Va., iii; elected, Journals of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1959 Regular Session, 127; elected to a 12-year term, Journals of the House of Delegates, 1964 Session, 999; succeeded Eggleston as chief, 210 Va., iii; retired, 215 Va., iii; birth, education, and career, transcript of portrait presentation on June 16, 1982, published in 223 Va., xix-xxxi; death, “Harold Snead, 84, Retired Chief Justice of Va., Dies,” The Washington Post (1974-Current file), December 25, 1987: C6; portrait, Library of Virginia portrait files.