George Washington Brooks

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George Washington Brooks (March 16, 1821 – January 6, 1882) was an American federal judge from North Carolina. He served on two United States district courts: the Albemarle, Cape Fear and Pamptico Districts of North Carolina from 1865 to 1872, and the Eastern District of North Carolina from 1872 until his death in 1882.

Education and career
Brooks was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. He read law to enter the bar in 1846 and then practiced privately in Elizabeth City. He also served in the North Carolina House of Commons (now the North Carolina House of Representatives) in 1852, and again from 1865 to 1866.

Federal judicial service
Brooks received a recess appointment from President Andrew Johnson on August 19, 1865, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Albemarle, Cape Fear and Pamptico Districts of North Carolina (also known as the United States District Court for the District of North Carolina), vacated by Asa Biggs. Johnson formally nominated him on December 20, 1865, and the United States Senate confirmed him on January 22, 1866, with his commission issued the same day. He was reassigned by operation of law to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina on June 4, 1872, to a new seat authorized by 17 Stat. 215. Brooks served in the Eastern District until his death on January 6, 1882, in Elizabeth City. He was a member of the Democratic Party.