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Biography
Rufus Edward Foster (May 22, 1871 – August 23, 1942) was a United States federal judge.
Born in Mathews County, Virginia, Foster received an LL.B. from Tulane Law School in 1895. He was in the United States Army Lieutenant from 1898 to 1899. He was an Assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana from 1905 to 1908. He was the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana in 1908. He was a Professor of law, Tulane University from 1912 to 1927. He was a Dean, Tulane Law School from 1920 to 1927.
On January 22, 1909, Foster was nominated by President Theodore Roosevelt to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana vacated by Eugene D. Saunders. Foster was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 2, 1909, and received his commission the same day. Foster served in that capacity until January 13, 1925, due to appointment to another judicial position.
On January 3, 1925, President Calvin Coolidge nominated Foster for elevation was a federal judge to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated by Alexander Campbell King. Foster was again confirmed by the United States Senate on January 13, 1925, and received his commission the same day. Foster served in that capacity until his death.