Rosser, Luther

Luther Zeigler Rosser, affectionately known as “Judge,” was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 15, 1886. Rosser had extensive schooling, first attending the Georgia Institute of Technology. There was no Chi Phi chapter there yet, so he was given special dispensation to be initiated into Eta Chapter at the University of Georgia. He then helped establish Omega Chapter at the Georgia Institute of Technology and later attended Emory University, where he affiliated with Gamma Chapter. 

A devoted Chi Phi, Rosser was involved in truly every aspect of Chi Phi Fraternity. He served as Grand Alpha from 1935–1939, Grand Epsilon from 1941–1943, Grand Eta and Executive Secretary from 1943–1946, and National Director from 1943–1959. In addition to Omega Chapter, Rosser helped found Theta Delta Chapter at the University of Florida and Alpha-Mu Chapter at Duke University. He was also a member of the Atlanta, Georgia Alumni Chapter.

In his professional life, Rosser was an attorney, appointed associate judge of the municipal court of Atlanta, and later promoted to chief judge, a position he held for many years. Rosser attracted national attention as a defense attorney in the trial of Leo Frank, a man accused of murdering 13-year-old Mary Phagan and later taken from prison and lynched by an angry mob.

Luther Rosser is remembered as a key figure in the growth and development of Chi Phi Fraternity during the 20th century. He died on August 13, 1971.