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T. F. Gilroy Daly papers

 Collection
Call Number: MS 1718

Scope and Contents

The papers consist of correspondence, continuing education course materials, legal pleadings, memoranda, newspaper clippings, photographs, reports, subject files, and writings that document T. F. Gilroy Daly's career as a United States District Court judge. The papers provide a comprehensive overview of Daly's career from his appointment in 1977 until his death in 1996. The materials regarding Daly's service as the chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut from 1983 to 1988 are extensive and document the substantial administrative responsibilities of the position.

There are no materials relating to the Peter Reilly court case.

The T. F. Gilroy Daly Papers were processed as a collaborative effort between Manuscripts and Archives and the Yale Law School to document the careers and accomplishments of Law School faculty and alumni.

Dates

  • 1950-1996
  • Majority of material found within 1988 - 1996

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by T. F. Gilroy Daly has been transferred to Yale University. These materials may be used for non-commercial purposes without seeking permission from Yale University as the copyright holder. For other uses of these materials, please contact mssa.assist@yale.edu.

Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of the Estate of T. F. Gilroy Daly, 1996.

Arrangement

Arranged in two series: I. Judicial Agencies and Activities, 1966-1996. II. Professional Organizations and Topical Files, 1950-1996.

Extent

18 Linear Feet (44 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/mssa.ms.1718

Overview

The papers consist of correspondence, continuing education course materials, legal pleadings, memoranda, newspaper clippings, photographs, reports, subject files, and writings that document T. F. Gilroy Daly's career as a United States District Court judge. The papers provide a comprehensive overview of Daly's career from his appointment in 1977 until his death in 1996. The materials regarding Daly's service as the chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut from 1983 to 1988 are extensive and document the substantial administrative responsibilities of the position.

Biographical / Historical

Thomas Francis Gilroy Daly, known as T. F. Gilroy Daly, was born on February 25, 1931, in New York City. He received his B.A. from Georgetown University in 1952. Daly served in Korea in the U. S. Army Rangers from 1953 to 1955 and attained the rank of first lieutenant. After completion of military service, Daly went to Yale Law School where he obtained his J.D. in 1957 and received the John Fletcher Caskey Prize for outstanding performance in a moot court trial.

After graduation, Daly practiced law in Washington, D.C., for five years. He then served as an assistant United States attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1961 to 1964. Daly practiced law in Connecticut from 1964 to 1977. In addition to his practice, he held several positions in Connecticut government: deputy state attorney general from 1967 to 1971, special assistant to the state attorney general from 1971 to 1975, deputy state treasurer from 1975 to 1976, and state insurance commissioner from 1976 to 1977.

Daly gained prominence in the 1970s for his pivotal role in obtaining freedom for Peter Reilly. In 1974, Reilly, aged eighteen, was convicted of manslaughter in the stabbing death of his mother. The conviction was largely based upon Reilly's confession, which his supporters maintained was the product of police coercion. After his conviction, Reilly's supporters convinced Daly to enter the case and appeal the conviction. It was discovered that the prosecutor, now dead, had not disclosed exculpatory evidence to Reilly's attorney. After a six-week hearing, Reilly was released from prison and the charge was dismissed.

Daly was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to serve as a United States District Court judge for the District of Connecticut in 1977. He served on the Court until his death in 1996. He was chief judge of the District of Connecticut from 1983 to 1988.

T. F. Gilroy Daly died on July 11, 1996, and was survived by his wife, Stuart Stetson Daly, and their four children, Timothy, Loan, Matthew, and Anna.
Title
Guide to the T. F. Gilroy Daly Papers
Status
Under Revision
Author
Barbara Heck, Carol King, and David Miller
Date
January 2009
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
Yale University Library
P.O. Box 208240
New Haven CT 06520-8240 US
(203) 432-1735
(203) 432-7441 (Fax)

Location

Sterling Memorial Library
Room 147
120 High Street
New Haven, CT 06511

Opening Hours