Benjamin Franklin Van Dyke (November 14, 1887 - October 11, 1975)

Associate Justice, February 1950 - December 1952

Presiding Justice, December 22, 1952 - October 1961

Born in Covelo, California, November 14, 1887, Benjamin Van Dyke taught school in Summit Valley School District prior to entering Stanford University, where he obtained his legal education. He was admitted to practice in 1912 and moved to Sacramento in 1913, where he practiced law with several firms before his appointment to the Superior Court of Sacramento County in 1947. He was elevated to the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, in 1950, and became presiding justice, in December 1952, upon the retirement of Annette Abbott Adams. Justice Van Dyke retired in October 1961. He died at age 87, in Sacramento, October 11, 1975.