The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Putnam, William Le Baron

PUTNAM, William Le Baron, American jurist: b. Bath, Me., 12 May 1835. He was graduated from Bowdoin College in 1855, admitted to the bar in 1858 and engaged in law practice in Portland, Me., 1858-92. In 1887 he accepted an appointment by President Cleveland as commissioner to settle with Great Britain the rights of American fishermen in Canadian waters and was also a member of the commission under the treaty of 6 Feb. 1896 between Great Britain and the United States. He had twice declined appointments as justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, but in 1892 accepted an appointment as judge of the United States Circuit Court. In 1888 he was the Democratic candidate for governor of his State.