William Hayes Pope

William Hayes Pope (June 14, 1870 – September 13, 1916) was the last Chief Justice of New Mexico Territory and the first United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico after New Mexico attained statehood.

Education and career

Pope was born in Beaufort, South Carolina to Joseph James Pope, a lawyer, and Emily Hayes (Mikell). He received a Master of Arts degree from the University of Georgia in 1889, followed by a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1890. He also taught at the University of Georgia as an adjunct professor of ancient languages from 1889 to 1890, when he was admitted to the bar.

Pope moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico Territory in 1894, apparently seeking a climate that was better for his health. Their partnership was also a public one; Victory was then the territory's attorney general, and Pope served as the Assistant Attorney General from 1895 to 1897. In reversing, the Supreme Court held that the Pueblos were a dependent people, which Congress had made clear in the Enabling Act providing for New Mexico's statehood.

Memberships and interment

Pope was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Elks, Shriners, and a freemason. He was married for eleven years, but had no children. He was buried in Fairview Cemetery in Santa Fe.