Herbert H. Harley Paintings

Herbert Harley was not an artist in the traditional sense of painters or sculptors, but rather a significant figure in the realm of legal reform and the administration of justice in the United States. Born on November 13, 1884, in Aurora, Illinois, Harley became an influential advocate for judicial and legal improvements throughout his life.

Harley's contributions to the legal system were not in the form of artworks, but in his efforts to modernize and streamline court procedures, improve the administration of justice, and promote the establishment of uniform state laws. He is best known for his role as the founder and long-time secretary of the American Judicature Society, an organization dedicated to improving the justice system in the United States.

In 1913, Harley established the American Judicature Society after witnessing the inefficiencies and injustices within the legal system. His vision was to create an independent organization that would work to provide non-partisan, informed evaluations and recommendations for court reform. Through this society, Harley worked tirelessly to promote the merit selection of judges, the establishment of judicial councils, and the unification of courts.

Throughout his career, Harley published numerous articles and pamphlets advocating for legal reform, and his efforts contributed to significant changes in the American legal landscape, including the adoption of the Judicial Article by Illinois in 1962, which led to a comprehensive reorganization of the state's court system.

Harley's legacy is not one of canvases or sculptures but of a more equitable and efficient legal system. He continued to work on legal reform until his death on January 20, 1966. The impact of his work on the American justice system remains a testament to his life's dedication to the rule of law and the improvement of judicial administration.