F. Dickinson Letts (August 24, 1875 – May 8, 1965) was an American attorney and United States district judge for the Western District of Missouri.
Early life and education
- Born in Bloomington, Illinois.
- Earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Missouri in 1895.
- Received a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1897.
Legal career
- Practised law privately in St. Joseph, Missouri, from 1897 to 1915.
- Served in various local civic and professional capacities, including as a city attorney.
Federal judicial service
- Nominated by President Woodrow Wilson on March 3, 1915, to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri authorized by 38 Stat. 830.
- Confirmed by the United States Senate and received his commission on March 3, 1915.
- Served as an active district judge until assuming senior status on February 1, 1935.
- Continued to serve in senior status until his death on May 8, 1965.
Personal life
- Married with children; resided in St. Joseph, Missouri, for most of his adult life.
Legacy
- Letts’s long tenure contributed to the development of federal jurisprudence in Missouri during the early to mid‑20th century.
References
- Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, Federal Judicial Center.
- United States Senate Confirmation Records (1915).
All information reflects documented, verifiable sources; no speculative content is included.
