Robert Wodrow Archbald (September 10, 1848 – August 19, 1926), known as R. W. Archbald, was a United States circuit judge of the United States Commerce Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the United States Circuit Courts for the Third Circuit and previously was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. He was the ninth federal official on whom Articles of Impeachment were served, and only the third to be convicted and removed from office.
Education and career
Born in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, of James Archbald and Sarah Augusta Frothingham Archbald (born 1805), Archbald attended Yale University, graduating with an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1871. He read law in 1873, and was admitted to the bar, entering private practice until 1884. That year, Archbald was appointed as a Judge of the Lackawanna County (45th Judicial District) Court of Common Pleas. In 1888, Archbald became President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Lackawanna County in 1888.
Federal judge
Archbald received a recess appointment from President William McKinley on March 29, 1901, to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, to a new seat authorized by 31 Stat. 880. He was nominated to the same position by President Theodore Roosevelt on December 5, 1901. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 17, 1901, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on February 1, 1911, due to his elevation to the Commerce Court and Third Circuit.
Death
Archbald died on August 19, 1926, in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.