Robert Walker Kenny (August 21, 1901 – July 20, 1976), 21st Attorney General of California (1943-1947), was "a colorful figure in state politics for many years" who in 1946 ran unsuccessfully against Earl Warren for state governor (a race in which Warren won both Republican and Democratic nominations). In 1947, he led the defense of the Hollywood Ten. Background Robert Walker Kenny was born on August 21, 1901, in Los Angeles, California. His mother was Minnie Summerfield. His father, Robert Wolfenden Kenny (1863-1914) was a successful banker and civic leader in Los Angeles and Berkeley, California. Kenny's grandfather, George L. Kenny, arrived in San Francisco in the early 1850s with his friends, the brothers A.L. Bancroft and Hubert Howe Bancroft. The three men formed a partnership and established the first bookstore in San Francisco. In 1921, Kenny graduated at 18 from Stanford University. Career Press In 1921, Kenny joined the Los Angeles Times, where he worked with Chapin Hall, and eventually became a financial editor there. In 1922, he joined United Press news service. He then worked for the Chicago Tribune in Paris. In 1923, he returned to Los Angeles and worked for United News. He then opened his own press service with Ted Taylor, called the Los Angeles Press Service, while also working the for the Los Angeles Express. After studying law privately, in 1926 he passed a civil service examination and was admitted to the state bar. California government service In 1927, Kenny began working in the Los Angeles County counsel's office as "Deputy of the County Counsel." In 1929, he joined the state legislature. In 1930, Kenny supported James Rolph Jr., who became California governor, and received an appointment as judge to the Los Angeles Municipal Court, followed by promotion to the Los Angeles Superior Court. In 1934, he won an election and became municipal judge for small claims court. He then became a judge in the law and motion court. At some time in the 1930s, Kenny became a Democrat. He was an early advocate for civil rights in California. He restructured the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to be similar to the United States Department of Justice; for example, he transferred the California DOJ main office from San Francisco closer to the state legislature in Sacramento, and created civil service positions instead of political appointments within the California DOJ. He also was instrumental in abolishing