William Calvin Chesnut (June 27, 1873 – October 16, 1962) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.
Education and career
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Chesnut received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1892 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1894. He was an assistant state's attorney of Baltimore from 1896 to 1899. He was in private practice in Baltimore from 1899 to 1931. He was a lecturer for the University of Maryland School of Law from 1911 to 1931.
Federal judicial service
Chesnut received a recess appointment from President Herbert Hoover on May 9, 1931, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Maryland vacated by Judge Morris Ames Soper. He was nominated to the same position by President Hoover on December 15, 1931. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 12, 1932, and received his commission the same day. He assumed senior status on July 31, 1953. His service terminated on October 16, 1962, due to his death in Baltimore.