William Purington Cole, Jr.

William Purington Cole Jr. (May 11, 1889 – September 22, 1957) was an American jurist and politician. From 1927 to 1929 and from 1931 to 1942, Cole was a U.S. Congressman who represented the second district of Maryland. He later served as a Judge for the United States Customs Court and the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals.

Early life and education
Cole was born in Towson, Maryland, and graduated as a civil engineer from Maryland Agricultural College (now the University of Maryland, College Park) in 1910. He also studied law at the University of Maryland School of Law, was admitted to the bar in 1912, and commenced practice the same year. During World War I, Cole was commissioned as first lieutenant in the United States Army in November 1917. He was assigned to the 316th Regiment of Infantry, 79th Division at Fort Meade, and served overseas. He resumed the practice of law in 1919 in Towson. Cole served as a member of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution from 1940 to 1943, and was named a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Maryland, College Park in 1931, becoming chairman of the board in 1944.

Congressional service
In 1926, Cole was elected as a Democrat to the U.S. Congress, serving one full term from March 4, 1927, to March 3, 1929. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1928, and resumed the practice of law in Towson. He was again elected to Congress in 1930, and this time served from March 4, 1931, until his resignation on October 26, 1942 to accept a judicial post.

Federal Judicial Service
On May 11, 1942, President Roosevelt nominated Cole to serve as a Judge for the United States Customs Court, to the seat vacated by Judge George Stewart Brown. He was confirmed by the Senate on May 11, 1942 and received his commission on May 14, 1942. He served on the court until his elevation to the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals and was succeeded by Judge David John Wilson. On July 4, 1952, President Truman nominated him to serve as an Associate Judge for the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals, to the seat vacated by Judge Joseph Raymond Jackson. He was confirmed by the Senate on July 5, 1952 and received his commission on July 7, 1952, serving on the court until his death. He was succeeded on the court by Judge Isaac Jack Martin.

Death
Cole died on September 22, 1957, in Baltimore, Maryland. He is interred in Arlington National Cemetery.

Cole Field House at the University of Maryland, College Park, is named in his honor.