George Burditt

Lawyer and politician

What is George Burditt known for?

George Miller Burditt Jr., a renowned American lawyer and politician, was born on September 21, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois. Known for his significant contributions to food safety law, Burditt was an influential figure in the legal and political spheres.

Burditt spent his formative years in La Grange, Illinois, a city where he later passed away on March 12, 2013. He attended Lyons Township High School in La Grange, making an impact on the basketball team and serving as a valedictorian in 1940.

Following his high school education, Burditt pursued higher education at Harvard University, earning his degree in 1944. Notably, he balanced academics with his military service in the U.S. Army Air Force during the World War II from 1943 to 1945. After the war, Burditt further advanced his legal knowledge at Harvard Law School, graduating in 1948.

Upon completing his law degree, Burditt launched a distinguished legal career in Chicago, working at multiple law firms before establishing his own. He also contributed to academia, serving as an adjunct faculty member at Northwestern University Law School for thirty years (1967 - 1997). His dedication to the field earned him the title of "the dean of attorneys in the United States practicing food and drug law."

Burditt's political journey started in the 1950s, with him chairing the Young Republicans of Cook County. He later served as a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1965 to 1973, sponsoring many reforms in food and drug safety and environmental law. He also ran for the US Senate in 1974, though he did not win.

Outside of his political and legal endeavors, Burditt was highly active in non-profit work. He served as a trustee and donor to numerous Chicago-area institutions, including the Newberry Library.