Robert R. Merhige

Robert R. Merhige Jr. (February 5, 1919 – February 18, 2005) was a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia who is known for his rulings on desegregation in the 1970s.

Born in New York City, Merhige attended High Point College in North Carolina and received a LL.B. from the University of Richmond's T.C. Williams School of Law in 1942. He received an LL.M. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1982. He served in the Army Air Forces from 1942 to 1945, flying many missions in Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers, during World War II.

Merhige was in private practice as a trial lawyer in Richmond, Virginia, from 1945 to 1967. He taught law at Smithdeal-Massey Business College from 1945 to 1948, at the University of Virginia from 1968 to 1972 (as a lecturer), and at the University of Richmond T.C. Williams School of Law from 1973 to 1976 (as an adjunct professor). Merhige was a vice president and general counsel, Crass Coca-Cola Bottling Company from 1952 to 1955.

On July 17, 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Merhige to a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia vacated by John D. Butzner, Jr., who had been appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, as had his predecessor, Albert V. Bryan. On August 18, 1967, the United States Senate confirmed Merhige's appointment, and he received his commission on August 25, 1967.

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