William Erwin Lee papers, 1934-1956, undated

William Erwin Lee was born in 1882 in Madison County, North Carolina. He graduated from the University of Idaho in 1903 with an Bachelor of Arts degree. While at the University he was a member of fraternity Phi Delta Theta. He received the Watkins Gold Medal of Oratory in 1902, and was installed into the the honor society Phi Beta Kappa. After graduating from the University of Idaho, he studied law at the University of Washington and Washington D.C..

Being admitted to the bar in 1906, Lee began practicing law in Moscow, Idaho, soon becoming a partner with Charles J. Orland. In 1922, Lee was elected to the Supreme Court of Idaho, where he would serve for seven years, serving as Chief Justice from 1926 to 1929.

In 1930, President Herbert Hoover appointed Lee to the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). He was reappointed by Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, retiring in 1953, having served 23 years on the commission. While a part of the ICC, Lee was selected as a member of Division 5, later becoming Chairman of the Division in 1934 and again in 1948. He retired from the ICC in August, 1953.

Lee married his wife, Madeline Shields, in 1914 and they had 5 children. During World War I, he served two years as Captain in the Army. He died December 1955.