14 Facts About Whitman Knapp

Percy Whitman Knapp was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Whitman Knapp's mother was killed in a horse riding accident in Central Park when he was only three years old.

Whitman Knapp attended The Browning School, graduating in 1927, The Choate School, graduating in 1927, and Yale University, graduating in 1931 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Whitman Knapp went on to Harvard Law School, where he was editor of the Harvard Law Review, graduating in 1934 with a Bachelor of Laws.

Whitman Knapp remained there until 1937, when he left to become an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan under the newly elected racket-busting District Attorney Thomas E Dewey.

In 1950, Whitman Knapp left Mr Hogan's office to again enter private practice until his appointment to the federal bench in 1972.

Whitman Knapp served during 1953 to 1954 as special counsel to the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor, which looked into corruption on the waterfront.

Whitman Knapp was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 28,1972, and received his commission on June 30,1972.

Whitman Knapp's service was terminated on June 14,2004, due to his death in New York City.

In 1986, Knapp presided over the racketeering case against Bronx County Democratic leader Stanley M Friedman.

In 1993, Knapp joined with Judge Jack B Weinstein of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, based in Brooklyn, New York, in declaring that they would no longer preside over drug trials.

On June 14,2004, Whitman Knapp died at the age of 95 at the Cabrini Hospice in Manhattan.

Whitman Knapp served on the bench up until his death.

Whitman Knapp was survived by his third wife, Ann Fallert Knapp, a son, Gregory Wallace Knapp, and by three children from his first wife, Elizabeth Mercer Nason; a son, Whitman E Knapp, and two daughters, Caroline Hines and Marion Knapp; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.