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LEARNED  HAND
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IN THE LAST YEAR OF HIS LIFE, JUDGE LEARNED HAND MENTIONS PATENT LAW AND THE WORDS OF OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES

 

LEARNED HAND (1872-1961). Hand was an American lawyer and Federal judge.

 

TLS. 1pg. January 30, 1961. U.S. Court House, New York. A typed letter signed Learned Hand as Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. On his official letterhead, Hand wrote about his judicial philosophy and a recent patent case. He mentions the words of Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. “Dear Mr. Toulmin: Thank you many times for your very kind words in your letter of January 23d. I cannot tell you how much it pleases me to have you speak of me as you do. I have always tried in patent, as in other litigation, to avoid any expression of my personal desires or feelings on the subject involved. I have never forgotten the words that Justice Holmes once said to me: ‘My business is not justice, but to play the game according to the rules.’ That you think that I have succeeded is the best reward that I can ask. I have no personal opinion as to the effect of our patent law upon the economy of the country. It is enough that it has been a steady undeviating factor in the policy of this country from the very beginning; and I think we should approach it with a completely detached emotional attitude. This I have tried to do, though I have found in a good many instances that it meets with anything but approval among the bar. I am glad to have your support. Sincerely yours, Learned Hand. Hand was involved in many patent cases, and the specific one referenced here is unclear. However, Hand was particularly influential in the area of patent law, which was of great interest to him. Hand died six months after writing this letter. It is in fine condition with light folds.