Ervin, Richard William, 1905-

Attorney General, Judge.

Richard William Ervin, Jr., was born on January 26, 1905, in Carabelle, Florida. His father's family were early settlers of Lake County and his mother was a member of the pioneer Phillips family of Marion County. Ervin was educated in schools near Ocala, and in 1921, he served as Engrossing Clerk for the Florida House of Representatives. He received a law degree from the University of Florida in 1928, and practiced law in Pinellas, Lee and Putnam counties until 1935.

He married Frances Baker of Jacksonville in 1933, and they had two children. Ervin worked for the State Road Department, and became Assistant Attorney General until 1945 when he became Secretary of the Florida Railroad Commission, soon returning to his attorney position with the Road Department until 1948 when he was elected Attorney General. His administration published the first original revision of the Florida Statutes since 1941. Ervin also served on the Supreme Court from 1964-1975.