Robert W. Kenny

Robert W. Kenny
Kenny in the 1930s
21st Attorney General of California
In office
January 4, 1943 – January 5, 1947
GovernorEarl Warren
Preceded byEarl Warren
Succeeded byFrederick N. Howser
Member of the California Senate
from the 38th district
In office
January 2, 1939 – January 4, 1943
Preceded byCulbert Olson
Succeeded byJack Tenney
Personal details
Born(1901-08-21)August 21, 1901
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedJuly 20, 1976(1976-07-20) (aged 74)
La Jolla, California, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Sara B. McCann
(m. 1922; div. 1938)
EducationStanford University

Robert Walker Kenny (August 21, 1901 – July 20, 1976), 21st Attorney General of California (1943-1947), was "a colorful figure in state politics for many years" who in 1946 ran unsuccessfully against Earl Warren for state governor (a race in which Warren won both Republican and Democratic nominations).

During World War II, Kenny was an active proponent of the incarceration of Japanese Americans which the office has since apologized for describing it as a "failure of political leadership" and a racist policy.[1] In 1947, he led the defense of the Hollywood Ten.[2][3]

  1. ^ Reports, Rafu (2023-08-15). "Bonta Issues Apology Acknowledging Complicity of State Attorney General's Office in Incarceration of JAs". Rafu Shimpo. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  2. ^ Clark, Alfred E. (22 July 1976). "Robert Kenny, Attorney, Dead; Led National Lawyers Guild". New York Times. p. 34. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Register of the Robert W. Kenny Papers, 1823-1975 - Biography". Online Archive of California. Retrieved 22 April 2020.