John Marshall

John Marshall (September 24, 1755–July 6, 1835) was an American revolutionary, diplomat, and jurist. As the 4th Chief Justice of the United States, Marshall presided over the Supreme Court of the United States for over three decades and was the principal founder of American constitutional law and the power of judicial review.

Related Topics:
September 24 - 1755 - July 6 - 1835 - American - Chief Justice of the United States - Supreme Court of the United States - Constitutional law - Judicial review

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He was born at Germantown (now Midland) in Fauquier County, Virginia and attended the College of William and Mary. In 1780, while at William & Mary, he studied under the tutelage of jurist George Wythe (the nation's first Law Professor). A member of the Culpeper Minutemen early in the American Revolutionary War, he entered the Third Virginia Continental Regiment on July 30, 1776 and served ably in a number of important campaigns, rising to Captain. President James Monroe also served in this regiment as a lieutenant. After the war Marshall became a lawyer, serving his state as a leader in the Assembly and in the new Federalist Party. He attracted attention from national leaders, and was offered several diplomatic posts, but preferred to remain in Virginia. In 1797, however, he accepted an appointment on a three-man commission to negotiate with France. After French leaders demanded personal bribes (see XYZ Affair) in return for engaging in the negotiations, Marshall answered for his colleagues in a brilliant memorial which rejected this extortion and upheld the honor and dignity of the new country.

Related Topics:
Fauquier County, Virginia - College of William and Mary - George Wythe - Culpeper Minutemen - American Revolutionary War - July 30 - 1776 - Federalist Party - Virginia - 1797 - France - XYZ Affair

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Later, Marshall was asked by John Adams to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, but instead Marshall opted to run for a position in Congress. He was elected in 1799, but Adams appointed Marshall as Secretary of State on June 6, 1800. Here he strongly opposed violations of American rights on the high seas and adopted a policy which necessitated a strong Navy to give force to American diplomatic protests.

Related Topics:
John Adams - Associate Justice of the Supreme Court - Congress - 1799 - Secretary of State - June 6 - 1800

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Appointed Chief Justice on January 20, 1801, Marshall continued to serve as Secretary of State until the end of Adams' administration March 4, 1801. At 45 years of age at the time of his appointment, Marshall was the youngest Chief Justice in U.S. history. In the United States Supreme Court, Marshall made his greatest contributions to the development of American government. In a series of historic decisions, he established the judiciary as an independent and influential branch of the government equal to Congress and the Presidency. Perhaps the most significant of these cases was that of Marbury v. Madison, in which the principle of judicial review was simply stated by Marshall: "A legislative act contrary to the Constitution is not law." Then, as the young nation was endangered by regional and local interests which often threatened to tear it to shreds, Marshall again and again interpreted the Constitution broadly so that the Federal Government had the power to become a respected and creative force guiding and encouraging the nation's growth. For practical purposes, the Constitution in its most important aspects today is the Constitution as John Marshall interpreted it. As Chief Justice he embodied the majesty of the Judicial Branch of the government as fully as the President stood for the power of the Executive Branch.

Related Topics:
Chief Justice - January 20 - 1801 - Secretary of State - March 4 - United States Supreme Court - Marbury v. Madison - Judicial review - Constitution - Judicial Branch - Executive Branch

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Marshall wrote several important Supreme Court opinions, including:

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• Marbury v. Madison (1803)
• Fletcher v. Peck (1816)
• McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
• Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819)
• Cohens v. Virginia (1821)
• Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
• Worcester v. Georgia (1832)

Marshall served as Chief Justice through five presidential administrations, a stalwart proponent of Federalism and nemesis of the Jeffersonian school of government throughout its heyday. While Chief Justice, Marshall wrote a five-volume biography of George Washington, The Life of George Washington (published 1804–1807). The work reflected Marshall's Federalist principles, and consequently was not well received by President Jefferson.

Related Topics:
Federalism - George Washington - 1804 - 1807

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Marshall died July 6, 1835 at the age of 79, having served as Chief Justice for over 34 years. This makes Marshall the longest-serving Chief Justice of the United States in history. Marshall was a very active Freemason during his adult life. He was elected the Worshipful Master of the Grand Lodge of Virginia from 1793-95.

Related Topics:
July 6 - 1835

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