Born in Fauquier County in 1755, John Marshall was the oldest of Thomas and Mary Randolph Keith Marshall's fifteen children. He was home-schooled before attending one year at Campbell Academy in Westmoreland County. He fought in the Revolutionary War and studied law with George Wythe at William & Mary College. After his election to the state legislature in 1782, he moved to Richmond. Within ten years he had became the city's most respected appellate attorney. He served on the city council and as a magistrate. A moderate Federalist, he was influential in the ratification of the U. S. Constitution.
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J.H.E. Whitney's print of Justice Marshall after a black and white chalk drawing by Saint-Memin |
On the national scene he served as Minister to France during the XYZ Affair and was elected to Congress. He served as Secretary of State for President John Adams before Adams appointed him Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1801.
John Marshall served on all three levels of government and in all three branches of the federal government. Raised on the frontier in modest circumstances Marshall became one of most dynamic leaders of the new republic and had a distinguished career of public service for 60 years.
John Marshall's legacy to his family was a love of books, a keen wit and a sense of humility, duty, devotion and fidelity. His judicial career is unsurpassed in the history of the United States. His legacy to the nation was a life of service. His judgements shaped the role of government and strengthened the Constitution. He was man of exemplary character, a man of Law.
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--Marshall's service during the Revolution, Marshall's life in Richmond and more |
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