William Alvan Grimes (1911 - 1999)
Born at Dover (NH); died at Biddeford (ME).
Lawyer, jurist.
Portrait by H. J. Pilotte, n.d.
Presented to the State, date unknown.

Grimes attended Dover (NH) schools and the University of New Hampshire (Class of 1934). While at the University Grimes was elected to the State House of Representatives (1933/5). He then went on to Boston University Law School (1934/7); after receiving his law degree, Grimes was again elected to the State House of Representatives (served 1937/9).

Upon admission to the New Hampshire Bar (1937), Grimes joined a firm with offices at Rochester and Wolfeboro (both NH). [The firm as of 1980 was named Cooper, Hall & Walker.] Grimes became a partner in the firm in 1941, after four years which included a stint during 1939 as a delegate to the state's 1939 Constitutional Convention.

During World War II, Grimes served in the U.S. Naval Reserve (1942/5). He returned to Dover (NH), where he served as City Solicitor (1946/7). In 1947 Grimes was named an Associate Justice of New Hampshire Superior Court (served 1947/66). In 1966 he was named Associate Justice of the State Supreme Court (served 1966/79). In 1979 Grimes became Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court; he retired because of age requirements in 1981.

References: Charles Brereton, New Hampshire Notables (1986); New Hampshire Notables (1955); Who's Who in America, 1974 - 1975 (1975); New Hampshire Law Weekly, vol. 6 no. 30 (January 23, 1980).