Waldo Colburn


Waldo Colburn was an American lawyer, jurist and politician from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Colburn was originally a member of the Whig party and after that party dissolved he became a Democrat. He was a descendant of Nathaniel Colburn, a selectman and signer of the Dedham Covenant.

Legal career

Colburn attended Harvard Law School from 1848 to 1849 studied law in the office of Ira Cleveland, and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar on May 3, 1850.

Political career

In 1856 Colburn was elected to serve in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He was a member of the Dedham, Massachusetts Board of Selectmen, Board of Assessors and, Overseers of the Poor. In 1857 he was the Chairman of the Committee on Parishes, Religious Societies, Etc. In 1858 he was the Chairman of the Committee on Railroads and Canals. In 1870 he was elected to the Massachusetts Senate for the second Norfolk district.

Judicial career

On May 27, 1875 Colburn was appointed as an Associate Justice of the Superior Court by Governor Gaston.
On November 19, 1882 Colburn was appointed by Governor Long as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Colburn served as an Associate Justice of the Court until his death.