Career
Born in Louisiana Grange, Texas, Burns was in the United States. Customs Service before entering private practice in Galveston, Texas from 1882 to 1888. On April 12, 1902, Burns was nominated by President Theodore Roosevelt to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas created by 32 Statistics 64, 65. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 24, 1902, and received his commission on April 22, 1902.
Burns served in that capacity until his death, in 1917, in Laredo, Texas.