Preview
Class Year
1919
Description
Erle Monroe McGuffey, B.A. in History '16, LL.B. '19*
Barthell, Kentucky
Democratic Club; Mountain Club; History Club; Masonic Club.
Still waters run deep . Mac, the auburn-haired son of old Erin, is a lover of his native hills. He does not like to talk, but "My! the dance! On with the dance, let joy be unconfined!" Life as it is suits Mac.
-The Kentuckian, 1916
-----------------------------------
Erle Monroe McGuffey (June 15, 1891 - April 29, 1948) was born in Glenmary, Tennessee to James Meredith McGuffey and Elizabeth McPherson. Erle moved to Lexington, Kentucky in 1909 and began his education. McGuffey served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army during World War I. He began practicing law in Lexington in 1919 after being discharged. McGuffey was a special attorney for the United States Department of Justice for War Risk Insurance litigation in Kentucky between 1936 and 1940. McGuffey re-enlisted during World War II--he began at the rank of major and was eventually promoted to colonel. He served as a staff judge advocate during the war. McGuffey was discharged in 1945. He then served as the assistant district attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky for about one year. In July 1946, he again returned to the Army to serve with the United States War Crimes Court in Dachau, Germany. McGuffey died of a heart condition during this service. He married Adelaide Louise Spalding in 1917.
*The UK Board of Trustees minutes list McGuffey as an LL.B. recipient in 1919. However, the UK Faculty Senate minutes have him listed under 1917. It is likely that McGuffey's military service between 1917 and 1918 delayed his graduation.
