McCauley was born in Escanaba, Michigan and graduated from the Marquette University Law School in 1923.
[1] An active Democrat, McCauley unsuccessfully sought the party's nomination for Wisconsin's 5th congressional district in 1934.
[1] In 1936, McCauley was fired by newly appointed Progressive District Attorney Herbert Steffes and reentered private practice.
[3] As district attorney, McCauley gained notoriety for his success and theatrical style as a trial attorney[4] Although he was elected to ten two-year terms, he failed in his efforts to attain judicial office; in 1955, he unsuccessfully challenged Steffes for his seat on the Milwaukee County Municipal Court.
[5] McCauley died of lung cancer on October 30, 1964, while seeking his eleventh term in office.