Background
Cox, Walter Smith was born on October 25, 1826 in Georgetown, District of Columbia.
Cox, Walter Smith was born on October 25, 1826 in Georgetown, District of Columbia.
Studied in private school. Graduate Georgetown College, 1843 (A. Graduated from Harvard Law School, 1847.
Born in Georgetown, District of Columbia, Cox received a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown College in 1843, an Master of Arts from the same institution in 1844, and a Bachelor of Laws from Harvard Law School in 1847. He was in private practice in Washington, District of Columbia, from 1848 to 1879, and during that period was also a recorder for the City of Georgetown, an Alderman for the City of Georgetown, and an auditor of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. From 1874 to 1879, he was a professor of law at what was then called Columbian University, known today as The George Washington University, in Washington, District of Columbia
On February 26, 1879, Cox was nominated by President Rutherford B. Hayes to a new seat on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia created by 20 Statistics
320. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 1, 1879, and received his commission the same day. During his service, he presided over the trial of Charles J. Guiteau, the assassin of President James A. Garfield.
Cox retired from the federal bench on July 1, 1899, and returned to his previous teaching position. He served as the first Dean of The George Washington University Law School until his death, in Washington, District of Columbia, nearly three years later.