Senior District Judge Edward S. Northrop was born in 1911 in Chevy Chase, Maryland. He attended George Washington University from 1930-36, earning his LL.B. from the law school in 1937.
Judge Northrop began his professional career in 1933, acting first as manager, and subsequently as counsel for the Village of Chevy Chase. In 1941, he entered active duty in World War II, serving until 1945, and achieving the rank of commander. While in the armed forces, Judge Northrop was decorated with both Army and Navy commendations.
Returning to civilian life, Judge Northrop joined the law firm of Lambert, Hart and Northrop in 1946, dividing his time between the Rockville, Maryland and Washington, D. C. offices. During this time, Judge Northrop also became a Member of the Maryland State Senate (1954-61). While serving in the Maryland State Senate, Judge Northrop acted as majority leader from 1958-61, and as chair of the finance committee in 1958. He also served as Organizer of Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and was instrumental in establishing area-wide mass transit commission through the Washington Area Mass Transit Authority.
On August 23, 1961, Judge Northrop was nominated by President Kennedy to a new seat on the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. Confirmed by the U. S. Senate on September 1, 1961, he was commissioned on September 5, 1961. In 1970, Judge Northrop was elevated to Chief Judge, a position he held until June 12, 1981, when he assumed senior status until his passing on August 12, 2003.
During his career, Judge Northrop was a member of many public and civil organizations, including the Judicial Conference of U.S. Committee on Administration of Probation System, 1973-79; the Steering Committee, U. S. District Court Metropolitan Chief Judges' Conference; Advisory Corrections Council of the U. S., 1977; Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, 1979; State Federal Judicial Council of Maryland, serving as chair from 1973-74; and U. S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review, having been appointed by Chief Justice Berger on January 11, 1985 to a seven-year term.
There have also been many awards bestowed upon Judge Northrop, in addition to his military commendations, such as the Distinguished Service Award, George Washington University Law School, 1975; Distinguished Citizen Award, State of Maryland, 1981; Service Award, Federal Bar Association; American Judicature Society's Special Merit Citation, 1982; and Distinguished Service Award, Maryland State Bar Association.