Henry Baldwin

Democratic Republican Representative of Pennsylvania's 14th district

Congresses Served

House Terms

January 14, 1780 (64 years old)

Birthday

April 21, 1844

Death

Served as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1830 to 1844.
Born into an aristocratic family and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale College at age 17.
Established a successful law practice in Pittsburgh and was involved in local economic development.
Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from 1817 to 1822, and was a prominent advocate for protective tariffs.
Nominated to the Supreme Court by President Andrew Jackson, with Senate approval despite opposition.
Expressed concerns about the Court’s extension of its powers and considered resigning in 1831.
Involved in significant cases related to slavery, including dissenting opinions that reflected his complex views on the issue.
Authored a treatise on the Constitution in 1837, advocating for a middle ground between strict and liberal interpretations.
His judicial style was marked by inconsistency and a tendency to challenge prevailing legal norms.
Suffered from health issues later in life and died in relative poverty.
His legacy is viewed as a mix of being an “unyielding champion of the Constitution” and a “political maverick.”