Joseph Franklin Rutherford
Joseph Franklin Rutherford was a prominent figure in the Jehovah's Witness movement, having joined the organization in 1906 and becoming its legal counselor the following year. He was appointed as the second president of Jehovah's Witnesses in January 1917, during which time he launched a vigorous proselytizing campaign that led to significant legal challenges. In May 1918, Rutherford and seven other members were arrested and charged with sedition, resulting in a controversial trial that revealed issues of judicial bias. They were convicted and sentenced to twenty years in prison, but following advocacy efforts, they were released on bail in 1920 and ultimately cleared of the charges.
Throughout his life, particularly after 1938, Rutherford was a staunch defender of the civil rights of Jehovah's Witnesses, advocating for their positions on various issues, including conscientious objection and medical practices like blood transfusions. His legal work, particularly arguments rooted in the First and Fourteenth Amendments, played a significant role in advancing civil liberties in the United States. Rutherford continued to lead the organization until his death in 1942, leaving a lasting impact on both the Jehovah's Witnesses community and civil rights discourse in America.
Subject Terms
Joseph Franklin Rutherford
Identification: Leader of the Jehovah’s Witnesses
Significance: Imprisoned for conscientious objection during World War I, Rutherford waged a legal battle that led to greater protection of freedom of speech
Born in Missouri, Rutherford became a member of the Jehovah’s Witness society in 1906 and the legal counselor for the organization in 1907. In January, 1917, he was selected second president of the organization and began an extensive proselytizing campaign that resulted in the denial of his own and other members’ civil liberties. He and seven other Witnesses were arrested in May, 1918, and charged with sedition. Because of judicial bias the case was ultimately heard by Vermont Judge Harlan B. Howe. Rutherford and six associates were found guilty on four counts of sedition and sentenced to serve concurrent twenty-year terms. A campaign by Jehovah’s Witnesses led Supreme Court justice Louis Brandeis to order their release on bail until their appeals could be heard. On May 5, 1920, all seven Witnesses were cleared of judgments.
Until his death in 1942, Rutherford used the judicial system, especially after 1938, to uphold the civil rights of Jehovah’s Witnesses as they publicly defined their positions on proselytizing methods, the draft, flag salutes, publications, and blood transfusions. His legal arguments based on the First and Fourteenth amendments were instrumental in strengthening civil liberties in the United States.