Background
Blatt (pronounced "blot") was born in Barnwell, South Carolina, to Solomon Blatt, Senior, speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives, and Ethel Green.
Blatt (pronounced "blot") was born in Barnwell, South Carolina, to Solomon Blatt, Senior, speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives, and Ethel Green.
AB, University of Southern California, 1941; Bachelor of Laws, University of Southern California, 1946; Doctor of Laws (honorary), University South Carolina., 1987; Doctor of Laws (honorary), The Citadel, 1990; Doctor of Laws (honorary), College of Charleston, 1992.
He was elected as the student president for his senior term, but was engulfed in controversy when he and his roommate attempted to bring two females to their dorm room. They were caught and suspended from the university for Easter week, a decision derided by Blatt"s opponents as too lenient since it meant that they would only miss a couple days of classes. His rivals protested by burning effigies of him and denouncing the influence of his father in the university"s affairs
Blatt enlisted in the Navy after America"s entrance into World World War II and was commissioned an officer
He served on a destroyer that escorted liberty ships to Europe as well as participating in anti-submarine warfare. After the war, Blatt obtained a Juris Doctor degree in 1946 from the University of South Carolina and he commenced the practice of law in Barnwell for the firm Blatt and Fales.
He remained in private practice until 1971. The same year, his father had to resign as a trustee for the University of South Carolina because of a provision in the state constitution prohibiting dual office holding.
As a trustee, Blatt served on the athletic committee and was instrumental in recruiting Frank McGuire as head coach of the men"s basketball team
Blatt fully supported the university"s withdrawal from the Atlantic Coast Conference in March 1971 because of the conference"s strict academic standards and the special exceptions received by the North Carolina schools. In 1971, through the recommendation of Senator Strom Thurmond, President Nixon nominated Blatt for the vacant judgeship of the District Court for South Carolina, a seat vacated by Donald Stuart Russell. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 26, 1971, and received his commission on May 28, 1971.
He served as chief judge from 1986-1990.
He assumed senior status on May 7, 1990. His court cases consist primarily of criminal cases.
While at the university, Blatt was a member on the boxing team, competed in the lightweight class, and was a member of the Euphradian Society.
Married Carolyn Gayden, September 12, 1942. Children: Gregory, Sheryl Blatt Hooper, Brian.