Charles L. Terry, Jr.
| Charles L. Terry Jr. | |
|---|---|
| 65th Governor of Delaware | |
|
In office January 19, 1965 – January 21, 1969 |
|
| Lieutenant | Sherman W. Tribbitt |
| Preceded by | Elbert N. Carvel |
| Succeeded by | Russell W. Peterson |
| Chief Justice of Delaware | |
|
In office May 1963 – August 19, 1964 |
|
| Preceded by | Clarence A. Southerland |
| Succeeded by | Daniel F. Wolcott |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
September 17, 1900 Camden, Delaware |
| Died | February 6, 1970 (aged 69) Dover, Delaware |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Jessica Irby |
| Residence | Dover, Delaware |
| Alma mater | University of Virginia |
| Profession | lawyer |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
Charles Layman "Charlie" Terry Jr. (September 17, 1900 – February 6, 1970) was an American lawyer and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party and served as Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court as well as Governor of Delaware.
Terry was born at Camden, Delaware, son of Charles Layman Sr. and Elizabeth Maxon Terry. He attended Wesley College and the University of Virginia, receiving his Law degree from Washington and Lee University. At Virginia, Terry was initiated into the Psi Chapter of the Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity. Terry married Jessica Irby and had one child, Charles III. They were members of Christ Episcopal Church in Dover.
Terry was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1924 and practiced in Dover, serving as attorney for the Kent County Levy Court and the Delaware General Assembly. In 1936, he was appointed Delaware Secretary of State. He then served as Associate Justice of the Delaware Superior Court from December 7, 1938 until April 29, 1957 and, as President Judge from that date, until July 23, 1962. He was then appointed Associate Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court and in May 1963 became its Chief Justice, serving until 1964.
Henry R. Horsey and William Duffy in their article on the Delaware Courts described Terry's tenure as Judge as follows: "In his twenty-five years on the bench, Judge Terry, or just plain "Charlie" as he preferred to be called, was, through his knowledge of the legislative process and influence with the General Assembly, instrumental in obtaining numerous judicial reforms. These included an increase in judicial salaries and significant improvements in the judicial pension system, establishment of full-time Courts of Common Pleas in Kent and Sussex Counties, enduring support for the creation of the present separate Supreme Court of Delaware and extensive improvements and enlargements of the judicial facilities in both the Public Building in Wilmington and the Kent County Courthouse.
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