Jonh Marshall

JOHN MARSHALL


John Marshall was born the eldest of fifteen children on September 24, 1755 in Germantown, Virginia.   Like many of the other American revolutionaries, his life was one well spent.   While he was most famous for his service to the country as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, his other accomplishments are noteworthy as well.   Marshall was an army officer, lawyer, delegate, foreign minister, congressman, and Secretary of State.   After being appointed to the bench by John Adams, he ruled on several important cases.   Among them are “Marbury v. Madison”, “McCulloch v. Maryland”, and “Dartmouth College v. Woodward”. His contributions on these cases alone warrant him as an important figure in American History.   His career met a lot of roadblocks from future presidents, including Thomas Jefferson, and Andrew Jackson.   Despite these setbacks, Marshall established himself as a voice for federalism.   His influence on American political life was overwhelmingly positive, as he was truly one of the nations founding fathers.
Born the son of Thomas Marshall, a successful planter in the newly formed frontier county of Fauquier, John Marshall received a limited education.   His formal education consisted of a year spent at the school of Reverend Archibold Campbell and as a student under a Scottish tutor.   He read the works of Horace and Livy, as well as the traditional classics.   During the outbreak of the war for independence, Marshall served many different posts.   In this time period of his life, he gained the gentlemanly qualities necessary for a career politician.   Near the end of the war, Marshall continued his education at William and Mary where he studied law briefly.   He was granted a law license in 1780. From this point on, Marshall embarked on a storied political career.   His ambition and loyalty eventually carried him to the top of the judicial branch of government.   [1]
The first federal appointment came from President John Adams.   Marshall was to...