| |
| |
|
| |
SMITH THOMSON
was born about January 17, 1768, in Dutchess County, New
York. He was graduated from Princeton University in 1788
and taught school and read law with an attorney in Poughkeepsie.
In 1793, he joined a Poughkeepsie law firm. In 1800, Thompson
was elected to the New York State Legislature, and one
year later he served as a delegate to the New York State
Constitutional Convention. In 1802, Thompson was appointed
State District Attorney for the Middle District of New
York Supreme Court. He served there as an Associate Justice
for twelve years and was named Chief Justice in 1814.
Thompson resigned from the New York Supreme Court in 1818
to accept an appointment as Secretary of the Navy from
President James Monroe. He served in the cabinet until
1823 when, on December 8, President Monroe nominated him
to the Supreme Court of the United States. Thompson gave
up plans to run for President in 1824 and accepted the
Supreme Court appointment. The Senate confirmed the appointment
on December 19, 1823. Thompson served on the Supreme Court
for twenty years. In 1828, while still on the Court, he
made an unsuccessful run for Governor of New York. Thompson
died on December 18, 1843, at the age of seventy-five.
|
|
|
