Public Information

Name

McFarland, Ernest

Class

2001

Biography

(1894-1984) United States Senator, Governor, and Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court. Born in Oklahoma, came to Arizona after serving in the Navy during WWI. Received law degree from Stanford University in 1926. Elected to U.S. Senate in 1941 and as Governor in 1955. Served as justice on the Arizona Supreme Court from 1965 to 1971. During his tenure as Senator, viewed the G.I. Bill of Rights one of the most important events of his Senate career. Considered by many to be the “Father of the G. I. Bill.” One of the cases heard by the Arizona Supreme Court during his era was the State v. Miranda in which the issue was the rights of the accused. Only known American to have served his state in its three highest elective positions in each branch of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.