Served from 1934 through 1955
Chief Justice: 1940, 1948
George E. Bushnell was born on November 4, 1887, in Roanoke, Virginia, of Scottish descent. His work with the law was not his initial career path. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and graduated in 1907 with a degree in engineering. Following his college experiences, he worked in the advertising firm of Sperry and Hutchinson in New York.
Bushnell turned to law when he graduated from Detroit College of Law and had other law degrees conferred upon him over the years. He also served as the Detroit representative of the American Bar Association’s Americanization Committee. In addition, he was affiliated with a number of other upstanding organizations. (Michigan Manual : Ed. 1953 – 54. Legislative Council, State of Michigan: Lansing, Michigan.)
He served as a Lieutenant in the Motor Transport Corps in World War I. In addition to public service, he worked with the law firm of Sempliner, Dewey, Stanton and Bushnell.
He was elected to the Michigan Supreme Court in 1934 and served until 1955.
George E. Bushnell died in 1965. (Michigan Biographies. Vol. 1, A – K, Michigan Historical Commission, Lansing, Michigan, 1924.)
Portrait presented on: (Click link to read transcript)
May 9, 1967
Portrait Artist:
Gamble, Roy C.
Medium:
Oil on canvas.
Dimensions:
44 1/2″ X 33″
Owned by:
State of Michigan
Current location:
Michigan Supreme Court Detroit
Portrait photo by:
Doug Elbinger, Lansing – June 1996