MSS 85-14

The Papers of James Hoge Ricks

Dates

Creation: 1916-1956

Extent

4 Linear feet

Abstract

Topical files (1916-1956) related to Judge Ricks service as first judge of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court of Richmond, Virginia, and his involvement in civic affairs and social movements primarily focused on disadvantage children.

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Acquisition Information

Alderman library received the collection on October 29, 1973, from William T. Eads, Clerk of Court, Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, 2000 Mecklenburg Street, Richmond, Virginia. It was transferred to the Law Library from Alderman on September 9, 1985.

Biographical / Historical Note

A native of Caroline County and a life-long Quaker, James Hoge Ricks (1886-1958) studied at Guilford College in North Carolina (A.B, 1905) and T. C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond (LL.B., 1908). He was admitted to the Bar in 1909, and became clerk and parole officer of the Juvenile Division of Police Court in 1912.

In 1916, Ricks became a judge of the new court at age twenty-nine, and held the position until his retirement in 1956. The juvenile court movement was an outgrowth of the Progressive era, and throughout his life, Judge Ricks remained active in various social movements spawned by "humanitarian progressives" and the National Conference of Social Work (prior to 1917, the National Conference of Charities and Corrections).

Ricks was a founder and vice-president of the National Conference of Juvenile Court Judges, an organizer and officer of the Richmond Community Fund, and twice president of the National Probation Association.

Physical Description

This collections consists of 13 boxes.1 arbitrary_unit

Preferred Citation

The Papers of James Hoge Ricks, 1916-1956, MSS 85-14, Box Number, Special Collections, University of Virginia Law Library.

Scope and Content

The Ricks Papers, 1916-1956, consist of 4 shelf feet of selected correspondence and records of the first judge of the Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. This collection of correspondence files and materials was selected from the much larger main files of the court by graduate student George B. Curtis. In accordance with state law requiring confidentiality of case records, all case materials have been separated and returned to the court.

Use Restrictions