Victor H. Verity

(1903-1994)

1989 Medal of Merit Recipient

Victor H. Verity was born in Seattle, Washington, in 1903. After graduation from the University of Arizona with a B.S. in Mining Engineering in 1927, he found employment with a Phelps Dodge Corporation subsidiary in Nacozari, Sonora. During the depression, he found work driving the diversion tunnels at Hoover Dam. It was there he made the decision to study law, and he graduated with a J.D. from the University of Arizona in 1936.

During Mr. Verity's distinguished legal career, his guidance was widely sought regarding United States public land laws, as well as the mineral development, tax, and labor laws in Mexico. He was a selfless contributor to mining education through his frequent voluntary authorship of pamphlets for public agencies. These included Laws and Regulations Governing Mineral Rights in Arizona (author of 1957 edition and either author or co-author of editions in 1959, 1965, 1970, and 1979). His scholarly articles on Laws of Mexico and State Mineral Interests were published in the American Law of Mining by the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation. His frequent service to professional groups serving the mining industry includes service as a member of the Arizona delegation to the Western Governors Mining Advisory Council (1962-1976). He also contributed papers at the annual institutes of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation. These efforts served as both inspiration to others and enhanced the esteem in which the legal profession was held.

Mr. Verity has long been an active participant in the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation and has been a trustee since 1965 and served as president in 1968-69. He is also a founding member of the Society of Mining Law Antiquarians.

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