Samuel T. Richardson

Samuel Richardson was born on July 8, 1857, to Lewis Clarke and Eliza Ann (née Whitely) Richardson. Born on a farm near the community of Scio in the Willamette Valley, he was educated at the local public schools of Scio. and also had worked as a special investigator for the legislature. In 1895, he received a master of arts degree from the university, followed by a doctorate of laws from the law school in 1898. ==Legal career==

Richardson joined the faculty at the Willamette University College of Law in 1887. Richardson was given a lifetime certificate to allow him to teach in the state in 1898 by the Oregon State Board of Education. Serving as dean of the new law school, he also was the editor of the school's journal, the Oregon Law School Journal that began in 1902 as well. While still operating the law school he also was in private legal practice, including with the Portland firm of Richardson, Dimick & Morehead starting in 1906. ==Later years==

A Republican, he was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. This commission made several recommendations to the State Assembly, including expanding the Oregon Supreme Court from five to seven justices. He continued practicing law with clients such as the Wentworth Lumber Company into the 1920s. Samuel Thurston Richardson died on September 6, 1921, of a stroke at the age of 64 in Portland, and was buried in Salem. After his death, the Oregon Law School closed. ==References==