Lecture on John Marshall

Early Life

• Born on September 24, 1755, in Farquhar County, Virginia.
• Parents: Thomas Marshall (land surveyor) and Mary Randolph Keith Marshall.
• Education:
  • Homeschooled by his father.
  • Attended Campbell Academy in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
  • Classmate of James Monroe.

Revolutionary War Involvement

• Joined the military at age 20, inspired by George Washington.
• Lieutenant for the Culpeper Minutemen, part of the 11th Regiment of Virginia.
• Participated in Battle of Great Bridge and Battle of Brandywine.
• Known for bravery and military prowess.
• Wounded in Battle of Germantown.
• Stayed at Valley Forge; appointed Chief Legal Officer by George Washington.
• Left military in 1780 to study law.

Legal and Political Career

• Studied law under Judge George Wythe at the College of William and Mary.
• Admitted to the Virginia Bar in 1780.
• Roles:
  • Represented Farquhar County in the Virginia General Assembly.
  • Delegate for Henrico County in the House of Delegates (1782, 1787, 1795).
  • City recorder in 1785.
  • Delegate at Virginia's state convention to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1788.
  • Participated in the XYZ Affair with France.
  • Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1799.
  • Appointed Secretary of State by President John Adams.

Supreme Court Tenure

• Nominated to the Supreme Court by John Adams in January 1801.
• Sworn in February 1801.
• Served for 34 years as Chief Justice.
• Notable Cases:
  • Marbury v. Madison
  • U.S. v. Aaron Burr: Ruled insufficient evidence for treason; charged Burr with high misdemeanor.
  • McCulloch v. Maryland
  • Cohens v. Virginia
• Made over 1,000 decisions and 500 opinions.

Death and Legacy

• Died on July 6, 1835, at age 79.
• Liberty Bell rumored to have cracked during his funeral procession.
• Marshall County, Kentucky, named in his honor.

Additional Information

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