John Marshall, 1780

John Marshall was Born near Germantown, Va., in what became Fauquier County, on Sept. 24, 1755. He was privately educated, which meant that he was schooled by his parents with whatever books they could find for him. Marshall's father, Thomas moved the family 30 miles from where his son was born to start a frontier lifestyle. Thomas Marshall was good friends with George Washington.

Marshall served as an officer in the Revolution War, and distinguished himself during the Battle of Great Bridge. He also served in the so-called invasion of Virginia, which caught the eye of then-Governor Thomas Jefferson.

He studied law at the College of William and Mary, under George Wythe. He was admitted to the bar in 1780, and began practice, which by all accounts was very successful.

Marshall went on to serve as a Member of the Virginia Assembly from 1782-1791 and again from 1795-1797. He participated in the Virginia convention of 1788 that ratified the Federal Constitution, which took the place of the old Articles of Confederation.

He was appointed by Preident John Adams on the "X Y Z" mission of 1797-1798 to adjust differences with France -- but failed and watched as American and French ships engaged off the coast and in the Carribean.

Marshall represented Virginia in Congress from 1799-1800 and shortly after was commissioned Secretary of State in President Adams' Cabinet May 13, 1800. He entered upon his duties June 6, 1800, and served until February 4, 1801.

As Secretary of State, directed the negotiation of the reconciliation convention of 1800 with France.

After that diplomatic triumph -- and after turning down the noimination to be an associate justice -- he was commissioned Chief Justice of the United States January 31, 1801, and took office February 4, 1801, but he continued as Secretary of State ad interim Feb. 4-March 4, 1801.

During his 34 years as Chief Justice of the United States, he established the authority and prestige of the Supreme Court -- especially the right of judicial review of law. Marshall went on to make many decisions that would ripple through history and effect the way the Federal government acted in regard to the equal balance of power.

The Marbury vs. Madison case early on in his career as chief justice helped define his legacy. By striking down a law passed by Congress, he laid the groundwork for later courts, finding the law "unconstitutional." This finding was opposed by the current president, Thomas Jefferson.

He served through six presidential administrations and over a thousand decisions, with Justice Bushrod Washington as one of his greatest allies.

He wrote a five-volume biography of George Washington which was released in 1832 as a two-volume version. He died in Philadelphia on July 6, 1833 and is buried at Shockhoe Hill Cemetery in Richmond, Va.

-- Source: WMAA

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