Robert W. Kenny
Robert W. Kenny | |
|---|---|
Kenny in the 1930s | |
| 21st Attorney General of California | |
| In office January 4, 1943 – January 5, 1947 | |
| Governor | Earl Warren |
| Preceded by | Earl Warren |
| Succeeded by | Frederick N. Howser |
| Member of the California Senate from the 38th district | |
| In office January 2, 1939 – January 4, 1943 | |
| Preceded by | Culbert Olson |
| Succeeded by | Jack Tenney |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 21, 1901 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | July 20, 1976 (aged 74) La Jolla, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Sara B. McCann
(m. 1922; div. 1938) |
| Education | Stanford 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 California Attorney General's office has since apologized for, describing it as a "failure of political leadership" and a racist policy. In 1947, he led the legal defense of the Hollywood Ten.