Jacob J. Spiegel (September 1902 – April 9, 1984) was a justice of the

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Although the claim is disputed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the SJC claims the distinction of being the oldest continuously fu ...

from 1960 to 1972. He was appointed by Governor

Foster Furcolo John Foster Furcolo (July 29, 1911 – July 5, 1995) was an American lawyer, writer, and Democratic Party politician from Massachusetts. He was the state's 60th governor, and also represented the state as a member of the United States House o ...

Early life, education, and career

Born in

Boston Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...

Massachusetts Massachusetts ( ; ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Maine to its east, Connecticut and Rhode ...

, Spiegel attended

The English High School The English High School in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 1821, is one of the first public high schools in the United States. Originally called The English Classical School, it was renamed upon its first relocation in 1824.''Encyclopædia Bri ...

, and received his law degree from

Boston University School of Law The Boston University School of Law (BU Law) is the law school of Boston University, a private research university in Boston. Established in 1872, it is the third-oldest law school in New England, after Harvard Law School and Yale Law School. Ap ...

in 1922.Gregory Witcher, "Justice Jacob Spiegel, 83; served 12 years on Mass. Supreme Court", ''

The Boston Globe ''The Boston Globe,'' also known locally as ''the Globe'', is an American daily newspaper founded and based in Boston, Massachusetts. The newspaper has won a total of 27 Pulitzer Prizes. ''The Boston Globe'' is the oldest and largest daily new ...

'' (April 11, 1984), p. 31. In 1936, Spiegel worked for the Senate campaign of

Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. (July 5, 1902 – February 27, 1985) was an American diplomat and politician who represented Massachusetts in the United States Senate and served as United States Ambassador to the United Nations in the administration of Pre ...

and later became Lodge's legislative secretary.

Judicial service

In 1939, Spiegel became a Special Justice of the

Boston Municipal Court The Boston Municipal Court (BMC), officially the Boston Municipal Court Department of the Trial Court, is a department of the Trial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. The court hears criminal, civil, mental health, restr ...

,"Bar Leaders Discuss Furcolo Reply to Judge", ''

'' (October 6, 1960), p. 15. appointed to that office by Governor

Leverett Saltonstall Leverett Atholville Saltonstall (September 1, 1892June 17, 1979) was an American lawyer and politician from Massachusetts. He served three two-year terms as the List of Governors of Massachusetts, 55th Governor of Massachusetts, and for more th ...

. Prior to his appointment to the state Supreme Judicial Court, Spiegel was a personal attorney to Governor Furcolo. Spiegel was the first Jewish justice to serve on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, and became known as a champion for

civil rights Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' political freedom, freedom from infringement by governments, social organizations, and private individuals. They ensure one's entitlement to participate in the civil and ...

on the court, writing decisions that "led the way against racial discrimination in housing". In one decision, he opined that "discrimination based on the hope of monetary gain and not upon a personal prejudice is ever more reprehensible". Spiegel resigned from the court upon reaching the statutory age limit.

Personal life and death

In August 1941, Spiegel married Peggy Schwarz of

Beverly Hills, California Beverly Hills is a city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. A notable and historic suburb of Los Angeles, it is located just southwest of the Hollywood Hills, approximately northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Beverly Hills ...

, whom Spiegel had met while travelling aboard the '' SS America'' the previous year."Judge Jacob Spiegel Weds Peggy Schwarz of Beverly Hills, Calif.", ''

'' (August 27, 1941), p. 17. They had one child, a daughter, named Lynne Spiegel born February 28, 1949, now living in San Clemente, CA. Spiegel died in

Brookline, Massachusetts Brookline () is an affluent town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, and part of the Greater Boston, Boston metropolitan area. An exclave of Norfolk County, Brookline borders six of Boston's neighborhoods: Brighton, Boston, Brighton ...

, at the age of 83.

References

1902 births 1984 deaths Lawyers from Boston Boston University School of Law alumni Justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Judges of the Boston Municipal Court {{Massachusetts-state-judge-stub