John Rutledge (Supreme Court)

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John Rutledge was the third Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He received a recess appointment from President George Washington on July 1, 1795, was renominated on December 10, 1795, and was never confirmed by the Senate. Rutledge's term as Chief Justice ended on December 28, 1795.^[1]

He also served as an Associate Justice on the court, from September 26, 1789 to March 5, 1791.^[1]

Rutledge was one of ten justices nominated to the Supreme Court by President Washington, and one of three Chief Justices. While as Associate Justice, Rutledge served during The Jay Court and The Ellsworth Court.^[2]

Early life and education

Rutledge earned his law credentials by read law, an independent study program common prior to the creation of law schools.^[1]

Professional career

1791-1795: Chief Justice, South Carolina Court of Common Pleas
1788: Member, South Carolina convention to ratify United States Constitution
1787: Delegate, Federal Constitutional Convention
1784-1790: Judge, Chancery Court of South Carolina
1784-1790: Member, South Carolina House of Representatives
1782-1783: Member, Continental Congress
1782: Member, South Carolina House of Representatives
1779-1782: Governor of South Carolina
1776-1778: President, South Carolina General Assembly
1776: Member, South Carolina Council of Safety
1774-1776: Member, Continental Congress
1765: Member, Stamp Act Congress
1764-1765: Attorney general pro tem, State of South Carolina
1761-1776: Member, South Carolina House of Commons
Attorney, private practice^[1]

Judicial nominations and appointments

Supreme Court of the United States

Chief Justice

Rutledge was nominated to serve as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by President George Washington. The nomination was not confirmed by the Senate and he left office on December 28, 1795, after serving for only five months.^[1] Rutledge was succeeded to the position of Chief Justice by John Marshall.

Associate Justice

Rutledge was nominated by President George Washington on September 24, 1789. He was confirmed on September 26, 1789, and received commission that same day. He resigned on March 5, 1791.^[1] Rutledge was succeeded to this post by Justice Thomas Johnson.

Notable case

Details
Author: John Rutledge Vote Count: 6-0 Majority Justice: James Wilson, William Cushing, John Blair, James Iredell, William Paterson

Jurisdiction in cases on the high seas (1795)

The case was originally heard by the United States District Court for the District of Pennsylvania. Upon appeal to the Supreme Court, the Court ruled that a district court cannot have jurisdiction against a foreign privateer in a case of libel for damages in the capture of an American vessel as a prize when it is out of United States jurisdiction. In this case, the Supreme Court determined that it would grant a writ of prohibition to district judges who did not have jurisdiction in such cases.^[3]