Born in Netcong, Morris County, New Jersey, Meade attended the public schools.
He later graduated from the University of Maryland Law School in 1932 and was admitted to the bar in 1933 Meade served as secretary to Albert Ritchie, Governor of Maryland, in 1934.
During World War II, Meade served in the United States Navy as a lieutenant in 1944 and 1945.
He resigned from the attorney general's office in 1946 to enter the private practice of law.
After Congress, Meade was appointed general counsel of the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee of the United States House of Representatives in January 1949 and served until his death in Washington, D.C.