Peter J. Shields (April 4, 1862 – September 28, 1962) is best known for his contributions leading to the establishment of the University of California, Davis, beginning in 1908 as the University Farm. Shields was elected as a judge on the California Superior Court in 1900. He served on the bench until he retired in 1949 at age 87. .
In 1905 he is credited with crafting the legislation which would establish a new 'university farm.' In 1906, the unincorporated railroad junction west of Sacramento, known then as Davisville, was selected as the site for the farm. What evolved into UC Davis was built as the farm school for students at UC Berkeley. It was not until 1959 that the Regents of the University of California made UC Davis a general campus, independent of Berkeley.
The main library of UC Davis, Shields Library, is named in honor of Peter J. Shields. Also, the street on the south side of the central quad on campus is Peter J. Shields Avenue; and Shields Oak Grove on campus is named for him.
Judge Shields is also credited as a co-founder in 1924 of the McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, a part of the University of the Pacific.
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