William Jefferson Pollard

March 1, 1860 (age 53)

Kingston, Missouri, United States

Originated the Pollard “pledge plan” for reforming drunkards—releasing the accused on signing a total abstinence pledge for 1 year—which has been widely copied and also enacted into the statute law of Great Britain by the British Parliament. Visited Great Britain, 1906, where addressed meetings and explained the “Pollard plan”. Vermont Legislature passed a law authorizing judges to liberate men convicted of drunkenness on the “Pollard plan,” a pledge to abstain from liquor for one year. Plan also adopted by Legislature of State of Victoria, Australia. Was appointed by President Taft a delegate to represent the United States Government at the International Congress on Alcoholism at London, England., July, 1909, and again to the International Congress on Alcoholism at The Hague, Holland, 1911. 550 delegations and mems. to the Hague Congress signed the following declaration. “We, the undersigned members and delegates attending the 13th International Congress on Alcoholism assembled in The Hague, Holland, September 11-16, 1911, desire to record our gratification at the recognition in statute law by Great Britain, Vermont, United States of America, and Victoria, Australia, of the principle of reforming drunkards by the probation on pledge method, commonly known as the Pollard plan. The possibilities of this wise and beneficent policy are so great that we desire to commend its adoption throughout the world.” More than 400 delegations and mems. of the London Congress signed a similar declaration. A guest of National German Abstinence Convention, in Augsburg, Germany, 1910.

William Jefferson Pollard

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lawyer

Background

Pollard, William Jefferson was born on May 1, 1860 in Kingston, Missouri, United States. Son of William S. and Mary Ann (Parks) Pollard.

Education

Educated at home private instruction in law, and admitted to bar. Unmarried. Justice of the peace, St. Louis, 2 terms. Judge 2d district police court, since 1903.

Career

Originated the Pollard “pledge plan” for reforming drunkards—releasing the accused on signing a total abstinence pledge for 1 year—which has been widely copied and also enacted into the statute law of Great Britain by the British Parliament. Visited Great Britain, 1906, where addressed meetings and explained the “Pollard plan”. Vermont Legislature passed a law authorizing judges to liberate men convicted of drunkenness on the “Pollard plan,” a pledge to abstain from liquor for one year.

Plan also adopted by Legislature of State of Victoria, Australia. Was appointed by President Taft a delegate to represent the United States Government at the International Congress on Alcoholism at London, England., July, 1909, and again to the International Congress on Alcoholism at The Hague, Holland, 1911. 550 delegations and mems. to the Hague Congress signed the following declaration.

“We, the undersigned members and delegates attending the 13th International Congress on Alcoholism assembled in The Hague, Holland, September 11-16, 1911, desire to record our gratification at the recognition in statute law by Great Britain, Vermont, United States of America, and Victoria, Australia, of the principle of reforming drunkards by the probation on pledge method, commonly known as the Pollard plan. The possibilities of this wise and beneficent policy are so great that we desire to commend its adoption throughout the world.” More than 400 delegations and mems. of the London Congress signed a similar declaration. A guest of National German Abstinence Convention, in Augsburg, Germany, 1910.

Membership

Member Society for Study of Inebriety (London).

Connections

Father:: William S. Pollard
Mother:: Mary Ann (Parks) Pollard

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William Jefferson Pollard

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