Just before Thomas Jefferson assumed the presidency in 1801, John Adams, the outgoing president, appointed John Marshall as the fourth Chief Justice of the United States. Often hailed as the most significant figure to hold this position, John Marshall’s influence spanned three decades, serving under Jefferson, his political adversary (and distant relative), and four subsequent presidents. His formative legal education under George Wythe at William & Mary in 1780, though brief, profoundly shaped the man who would become the architect of American constitutional law. This early influence is just one reason why John Marshall Is Important Because He Was instrumental in defining the very structure of American governance.
Born on September 24, 1755, in present-day Fauquier County, Virginia, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains’ foothills, Marshall was largely self-taught. As the eldest of Thomas Marshall and Mary Randolph Keith’s fifteen children, he cultivated a lifelong passion for English literature, poetry, and history during his youth. Though destined for a legal career, his path was interrupted by the American War of Independence in 1775. Enlisting in the Continental Army, he demonstrated his commitment to the burgeoning nation, participating in pivotal battles such as Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. He endured the harsh winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge, experiences that undoubtedly forged his character and resolve. It was during a leave from military service in 1780 that he seized the opportunity to attend George Wythe’s law lectures at the College of William & Mary. This period also saw his induction into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Society and the commencement of his courtship with Mary Willis (“Polly”) Ambler in Yorktown, who would later become his wife.
Following the war, Marshall dedicated himself to establishing his legal practice while also engaging in public service as a member of the Virginia state legislature. His career trajectory took a federal turn in 1797 when President Adams appointed him as an envoy to France. After a short term in Congress, Marshall joined Adams’ cabinet as Secretary of State, a position he held when nominated for Chief Justice. This diverse experience across military, legislative, executive, and diplomatic roles provided him with a unique perspective that informed his judicial philosophy.
John Marshall’s enduring legacy rests on two fundamental contributions to the modern American government. Firstly, he solidified the power and prestige of the judicial branch, elevating it to an equal footing with the legislative (Congress) and executive branches within the system of separated powers. He championed the judiciary’s crucial role in interpreting the Constitution as the supreme law of the land and ensuring the accountability of other branches to this foundational document. This principle of judicial review, though not explicitly stated in the Constitution, became a cornerstone of American jurisprudence under Marshall’s leadership.
Secondly, Marshall’s interpretations of the Constitution were instrumental in expanding the authority of the federal government. He advocated for a broad construction of the enumerated powers of the federal government, believing they should be interpreted expansively to effectively achieve the overarching goals of governance. While acknowledging the limitations of federal power, he firmly asserted its supremacy within its designated sphere, overriding state power in cases of conflict. His landmark decisions laid the intellectual groundwork for the significant expansion of the federal government that occurred in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, shaping the balance of power in the American federal system.
According to Dr. Charles Hobson, a leading scholar and author of The Great Chief Justice: John Marshall and the Rule of Law, who dedicated 26 years to editing Marshall’s papers, Marshall was admired for his compelling personality. Hobson describes him as possessing “a first-class intellect and possession of all the social virtues.” Crucially, he had an unparalleled ability to foster consensus among justices, achieving unanimous opinions in many cases – a stark contrast to the often-divided courts of today. Marshall prioritized court unanimity, understanding its importance in projecting authority and legitimacy.
John Marshall passed away in 1835, nearing 80 years old, perhaps without fully recognizing the profound and lasting impact of his long tenure as Chief Justice. He reportedly harbored concerns about the Constitution’s long-term viability in the face of state resistance. However, the foundations he laid proved stronger than he might have imagined. Despite the immense challenge of secession and the Civil War, subsequent generations built upon his legal framework, carrying forward his vision. His opinions remain essential reading in law schools, and John Marshall is important because he was the embodiment of his mentor George Wythe’s ideal of the “citizen lawyer,” dedicating his expertise and skills to public service.
Marshall’s character, both in his professional and personal life, was marked by simplicity and genuine humility. This is subtly captured in the bronze statue at the Law School’s entrance, depicting him with a rumpled vest and untied shoelaces, standing alongside his mentor Wythe. This statue, and a more formal portrait by Henry Inman displayed in the Law School’s entrance hall, serve as enduring reminders of the great Chief Justice on the William & Mary campus. Even the Marshall family Bible, preserved in the Nicholas J. St. George Rare Book Room, offers a tangible link to this pivotal figure in American history. John Marshall’s contributions continue to resonate, making him a figure of immense importance in understanding the development of American legal and political thought.
