John C. Bell

John Cromwell Bell Jr. (October 25, 1892 – March 18, 1974) was an American lawyer, politician, and judge. He was the 18th lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania (1943–1947) before becoming the 33rd and shortest-serving governor of Pennsylvania, serving for nineteen days in 1947. He was later a justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court (1950–1972), serving as Chief Justice from 1961 to 1972.

Early life and education John Bell was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to John Cromwell Bell and Fleurette deBenneville (Myers) Bell. His father served as District Attorney of Philadelphia (1903–1907) and Attorney General of Pennsylvania (1911–1915). His maternal grandfather was Leonard Myers, who served as a U.S. Representative from 1863 to 1875. He was admitted to the bar in 1917 and commenced private practice, eventually becoming a senior partner of the law firm Bell, Murdoch, Paxson and Dilworth. at age 81, and is buried at St. Asaph Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd.