Born on September 25, 1883, in River Ridge, Monroe County, Alabama, McDuffie was educated by private tutors.

He attended college at Southern University (now Birmingham–Southern College) in Greensboro and later attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) in Auburn, Alabama, where he in graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1904.

He also served as Chairman of the United States House Committee on Insular Affairs in 73rd and 74th Congress.

[citation needed] McDuffie was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on January 31, 1935, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama vacated by Judge Robert Tait Ervin.

His service terminated on November 1, 1950, due to his death in Mobile, Alabama.