William Harold Cox

Who was William Harold Cox?

William Harold Cox was a United States federal judge.

Born in Indianola, Mississippi, Cox received a B.S. from the University of Mississippi in 1924 and an LL.B. from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1924. He was in private practice in Jackson, Mississippi from 1924 to 1961.

On June 20, 1961, Cox was nominated by President John F. Kennedy to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi created by 75 Stat. 80. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 27, 1961, and received his commission on June 30, 1961.

Cox was known as a segregationist and referred to blacks as "baboons" from the bench. When the United States Justice Department sued to block Mississippi's prosecution of John Hardy, a black resident who was beaten after he attempted to register to vote, Judge Cox denied the Department's motion for a temporary restraining order. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed Judge Cox's decision, and the Supreme Court denied review of the appellate decision.

Judge Cox's most famous case was United States v.