Iconic Federal Judge of Early 20th Century America

This photograph depicts Peter Grosscup, a notable figure in the early 20th century American legal landscape. Born in 1853, Grosscup was a prominent federal judge who served on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois from 1903 to 1922. His tenure on the bench was marked by several significant cases, including those that addressed labor disputes and antitrust issues during a time of great economic change in the United States. These legal battles reflected the tensions between burgeoning industries and their workers, a theme common in the Progressive Era.

Grosscup was known for his strong opinions and strict interpretations of the law, which often drew public attention and debate. The photograph captures him during a period when federal judges wielded considerable influence over not just legal decisions, but also the socio-economic landscape of the nation. No specific date is provided for this image, but it serves as a historical record of an individual whose judicial rulings contributed to shaping the legal framework of the United States in the early 1900s. As a part of the Bain News Service’s photographic collection, this image contributes to our understanding of influential figures in American history and their roles in the federal judicial system.