History of the Federal Judiciary


  Biographical Directory of Federal Judges
Woodbury, Levi
Born December 22, 1789, in Francestown, NH
Died September 4, 1851, in Portsmouth, NH

Federal Judicial Service:
Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the United States
Received a recess appointment from James K. Polk on September 20, 1845, to a seat vacated by Joseph Story; nominated to the same position by James K. Polk on December 23, 1845. Confirmed by the Senate on January 3, 1846, and received commission on January 3, 1846. Service terminated on September 4, 1851, due to death.

Allotment as Circuit Justice:
First Circuit, ca. October 1, 1845-September 4, 1851

Education:
Litchfield (Tapping Reeve) Law School
Dartmouth College, 1809
Read law, 1812

Professional Career:
Private practice, Francestown, New Hampshire, 1812-1816
Clerk, New Hampshire State Senate, 1816-1817
Associate justice, State Superior Court, New Hampshire, 1817-1823
State Governor, New Hampshire, 1823-24
Private practice, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 1824
Speaker of the house, New Hampshire House of Representatives, 1825
U.S. Senator from New Hampshire, 1825-1831
Elected to serve in New Hampshire state Senate in 1831, but did not serve due to appointment as Secretary of the Navy
U.S. Secretary of the Navy, 1831-1834
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, 1834-1841
U.S. Senator from New Hampshire, 1841-1845
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