T. Clark Hull

Treat Clark Hull (June 14, 1921 – July 25, 1996) was an American politician and lawyer who was the 99th Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut from 1971 to 1973[1] and a judge for 23 years from 1973. Hull had the rare distinction of serving at the top levels of all three branches of state government (executive, legislative and judicial).[2]

Early life

T. Clark Hull was born in Danbury,[3] Fairfield County, Connecticut, on June 14, 1921.[4] He went to school in the Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire,[5] then he went to Yale University, where he got a B.A. in 1942[6] He served in the United States Air Force from 1942 to 1946, then earned a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1948 and practiced law in Danbury from 1948 to 1973.[7]

Political career

Hull served as a Republican member of the Connecticut State Senate for the 24th district from 1963 to 1971.[7] At the Republican state convention in 1970, he was given the job of entertaining the delegates while the party leaders chose a candidate for lieutenant governor, and did so well that, upon the return of the party leaders, the delegates chanted that they wanted him.[5] He won the nomination and won the election on the ticket with gubernatorial candidate Thomas J. Meskill.

Judge

In 1973, Hull was appointed as a judge of the Connecticut Superior Court. He was elevated to the Appellate Court in 1983 as one of its original members. He was subsequently appointed to the Connecticut Supreme Court in 1987.[7] After mandatory retirement from the Supreme Court in 1991, due to his age, he continued hearing civil cases as a state referee. He was succeeded by Robert I. Berdon.[5]

He died on July 25, 1996, after complications from heart surgery a week earlier.[5]

Legacy

Hull was known for his sharp wit, charm, and zest for public service. Former Democratic Senator Chris Dodd described Hull as "one of the few politicians who managed to be well-liked on both sides of the aisle. Throughout his illustrious career, he maintained an optimistic activism that continually propelled the interests of Connecticut and its people forward. Justice Hull was a dedicated public servant who had an enthusiasm for public office that was contagious. Although he was small in stature, T. Clark Hull's charming personality and exuberance for serving the public made him a giant in the eyes of others."[2]

References

1. "Brief Descriptions of Connecticut State Agencies, Lieutenant Governor". Cslib.org. Archived from the original on 2007-10-26. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
2. "Congressional Record Volume 142 Issue 117, Friday, August 2, 1996". Gpo.gov. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
3. T. Clark Hull, 75, Ex-Politician and Judge, New York Times, July 26, 1996.
4. Lawrence Kestenbaum. "The Political Graveyard, Index to Politicians: Hull". Politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
5. GEORGE JUDSON (1996-07-26). "T. Clark Hull, 75, (as above.)". Nytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
6. Memorials of Connecticut Judges and Attorneys Archived 2012-08-25 at the Wayback Machine, as Printed in the Connecticut Reports, volume 238, page 909, The Honorable T. Clark Hull.
7. "Memorials of Connecticut Judges and Attorneys, (as above)". Cslib.org. 1996-07-25. Archived from the original on 2012-08-25. Retrieved 2012-07-23.