Robert Ewing Thomason

Robert Ewing Thomason (May 30, 1879 – November 8, 1973) was an American politician and judge. A member of the Democratic Party, he was a member and Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, the mayor of El Paso, a member of the United States House of Representatives for Texas's 16th congressional district, and a United States district judge of the Western District of Texas.

Early life and education

Born in Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee, Thomason moved to Gainesville, Texas, with his parents in 1880. He attended public schools, and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, in 1898.

Professional career

Thomason continued to practice law upon his moving to El Paso, in a law firm with Thomas Calloway Lea, Jr., and later J. G. McGrady and Eugene T. Edwards. He was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1917 to 1921, serving as Speaker in 1920 and 1921. In 2016 the United States courthouse in El Paso was renamed in his honor.

Fraternity Robert E. Thomason was a freemason and belonged to El Paso Lodge # 130 A.F. & A.M. He also belonged to El Maida Shrine and served as Illustrious Potentate.