D. L. Lansden

Dick Latta Lansden (May 16, 1869 – August 10, 1924) was a justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court from 1910 to 1923. He served as chief justice from 1918 to 1923.

Born in White County, Tennessee, Lansden attended the local public schools and then studied at Doyle College. He found work as a teacher and after a few years became the White County superintendent of schools, serving from 1891 to 1893. While working as a teacher and school superintendent, Lansden studied law under Judge E. Jarvis in Sparta, Tennessee. He was admitted to the bar in 1893 and immediately left his educational career to begin legal practice. On November 14, 1895, Lansden married Helen Snodgrass, the daughter of former U.S. Congressman H. C. Snodgrass.

Lansden served as Chancellor of the 4th Judicial Division in Tennessee from 1902 to 1910. In 1910, he was elected to the Tennessee Supreme Court, and in 1918 he was elected Chief Justice of the court.

Lansden served until his resignation from the court on April 11, 1923.