Rufus Hildreth Thayer (1850–1917) was, between 1909 and 1913, the judge of the United States Court for China based in Shanghai.
Early life
Thayer was born in Plymouth, Michigan, on June 19, 1850. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1871.C.S. Carter, History of the Class of ’70, p. 222.
Career
Thayer joined the Library of Congress as an assistant librarian. At the same time he studied law and graduated in 1874. He was appointed law clerk in the Treasury Department where he remained for ten years before leaving to form the law firm, Thayer & Rankin. He also served as a Judge Advocate General of the National Guard in Washington DC.Obituary, New York Times, July 13, 1917
In 1909, he was appointed judge of the United States Court for China replacing Lebbeus R. Wilfley. He served until 1913, when he resigned when investigations were begun into some of the expenses he had claimed. Rather than face an investigation, Thayer resigned with effect from December 31, 1913.North China Herald, 15 November 1913, p. 484. He was succeeded by Charles S. Lobingier
Death
Thayer died on 12 July 1917 of apoplexy in Kingston, New York.Obituary, New York Times, July 13, 1917 He was buried at Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, New York.Find a grave entry for Thayer
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