John McKinley

John McKinley (May 1, 1780 – July 19, 1852) was a U.S. Senator from the state of Alabama and an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court.

John McKinley
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
In office April 22, 1837 – July 19, 1852
Nominated by	Martin Van Buren
Preceded by	Seat established
Succeeded by	John Campbell
United States Senator from Alabama
In office March 4, 1837 – April 22, 1837
Preceded by	Gabriel Moore
Succeeded by	Clement Clay
In office November 27, 1826 – March 3, 1831
Preceded by	Israel Pickens
Succeeded by	Gabriel Moore
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 2nd district
In office March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1835
Preceded by	Samuel Mardis
Succeeded by	Joshua Martin
Personal details
Born	May 1, 1780 Culpeper County, Virginia, U.S.
Died	July 19, 1852 (aged 72) Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Political party	Democratic-Republican (Before 1825) Democratic (1828–1852)
Other political affiliations	Jacksonian

Early life

Born in Culpeper County, Virginia, his family moved to Kentucky when he was an infant. In that state he read law and was admitted to the bar in 1800, practicing in Frankfort and Louisville from 1800 to 1819 before moving to Huntsville, Alabama.

Political career

McKinley served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1820 to 1822. In 1826, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, completing the term of Henry H. Chambers, who died in office. McKinley served from November 27, 1826 to March 3, 1831. He was again elected to the Senate in 1837, but served only from March 4, 1837 until his resignation on April 22. McKinley left the Senate to accept a recess appointment from President Martin Van Buren to a newly created seat (one of two which had been created by Congress – 5 Stat. 176) on the Supreme Court. Formally nominated on September 18, 1837, McKinley was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 25, 1837, and received his commission the same day. McKinley served on the Supreme Court for fourteen years. McKinley was also a slave owner and owned twelve slaves at the time of the 1850 census.[1] He died in Louisville, Kentucky, on July 19, 1852, at the age of 72.[2][3]

Legacy and honors

The community of McKinley, Alabama is named in his honor.[4]

During World War II the Liberty ship SS John McKinley was built in Brunswick, Georgia, and named in his honor.[5]

See also

• List of Justices of the United States Supreme Court

References

1. John McKinley, United States Census, 1850; Louisville Ward 7, Jefferson, Kentucky;.
2. John McKinley, 1838-1852 Archived 2008-07-24 at the Wayback Machine, Supreme Court Historical Society
3. McKINLEY, John, (1780–1852), Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
4. Marengo County Heritage Book Committee (2000). The heritage of Marengo County, Alabama. Clanton, Alabama: Heritage Publishing Consultants. p. 9. ISBN 1-891647-58-X.
5. Williams, Greg H. (25 July 2014). The Liberty Ships of World War II: A Record of the 2,710 Vessels and Their Builders, Operators and Namesakes, with a History of the Jeremiah O'Brien. McFarland. ISBN 978-1476617541. Retrieved 9 December 2017.

Sources

• John McKinley at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.