James Patterson McBaine

James Patterson McBaine (July 18, 1882 – March 2, 1961) was an American law professor who taught at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco and UC Berkeley School of Law as the A. F. and May T. Morrison Professor of Municipal Law. From 1919 to 1927, McBaine served as dean of the University of Missouri School of Law.

Early life On July 18, 1882, James Patterson McBaine was born to Scottish parents in Kansas City, Missouri. After living in Maryland and Kentucky, McBaine's great-grandfather settled in Missouri. McBaine's father was a farmer and banker who also attended the University of Missouri.

McBaine earned his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1904, studying between the University of Missouri School of Law and Columbia Law School. At Columbia, McBaine became friends with then-Associate Professor Harlan F. Stone, who later had McBaine teach three summer sessions at Columbia Law School. As a member of the University of California's Committees on Privilege and Tenure, Memorial Resolutions, and Honorary Degrees and Council of the Graduate Division for eleven years, including as Acting Dean of the Graduate Division from 1944 to 1945, McBaine became well-liked among faculty.

Personal life In his later life, McBaine maintained a routine of walking the mile between his home and the UC Berkeley Law campus (then known as Boalt Hall), spending three hours on legal research and writing, eating lunch with faculty, and then returning home by foot.

On December 27, 1906, McBaine married Ethel Hudson in the Calvary Episcopal Church of Columbia, Missouri. Together, they had two children: Turner H. McBaine and Anne McBaine.