File:Austin Edwards Griffiths, approximately 1860s-1870s (PORTRAITS 2095).jpg

Photographer: R. Wingfield, Worcester. PH Coll 1034.Griffiths, A1

Austin Edwards Griffiths was Judge of the Superior Court in Seattle, Washington. He was born in Worcester, England, in 1863 and raised by foster parents Philip and Ann Priday. They moved to Nebraska in 1872. Griffiths graduated from the University of Michigan and soon after moved to the Washington Territory in 1889. There, he practiced law in Grays Harbor before moving to Seattle in 1897. Griffiths was an active public servant throughout his career. He served on the Seattle City Council from 1901 to 1913 and 1934 to 1937, ran for (but was not appointed) mayor in 1913, was appointed chief of police in 1914, served as a superior court judge from 1921-1929 and was elected twice to the Seattle School Board, 1929 to 1930 and 1931-1934. In addition to his public service, Griffiths founded the Seattle Playground Association in 1908 and became known as the "Father of Seattle Playgrounds" for his dedicated effort to establish recreational space throughout Seattle. His work helped popularize the playground movement nationwide. He was also an active member of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Young Men's Christian Association, the Seattle Charity Organization Society, and the Cascade Tunnel Association.

• Subjects (LCSH): Griffiths, Austin E. (Austin Edwards), 1863-1952; Judges--Washington (State)--Seattle--Portraits; City council members--Washington (State)--Seattle--Portraits; Men--Washington (State)--Seattle--Portraits