Federal Judicial Center Operational Status:

Due to a lapse in appropriations, the Federal Judicial Center (Center) has ceased all non-excepted activities until funding is restored.

The Center will post any changes in operational status on this web page. Please check back for updates.

Thompson, Smith

Born January 17, 1768, in Amenia, NY
Died December 18, 1843, in Poughkeepsie, NY

Federal Judicial Service:
Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the United States
Received a recess appointment from James Monroe on September 1, 1823, to a seat vacated by Henry Brockholst Livingston; nominated to the same position by James Monroe on December 5, 1823. Confirmed by the Senate on December 9, 1823, and received commission on December 9, 1823. Service terminated on December 18, 1843, due to death.

Supreme Court Oath:
September 1, 1823

Allotment as Circuit Justice:

Second Circuit, September 1, 1823-December 18, 1843

Education:
College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), 1788
Read law, 1792

Professional Career:

Private practice, Troy, New York, 1792-1793
Private practice, Poughkeepsie, New York, 1793-1802
State assemblyman, New York, 1800
Delegate, New York constitutional convention, 1801
Justice, Supreme Court of Judicature of New York, 1802-1818; chief justice, 1814-1818
Secretary of the U.S. Navy, 1818-1823

Bibliography

Lynch, David. The Role of Circuit Courts in the Formation of United States Law in the Early Republic: Following Supreme Court Justices Washington, Livingston, Story and Thompson. Oxford, UK: Hart Publishing, 2018.

Roper, Donald Malcom. Mr. Justice Thompson and the Constitution. New York: Garland, 1987.

Manuscript Collections

Dutchess County Historical Society
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Smith Thompson papers, 1795-1855.
26 items; finding aid; collection contains Thompson and his wife's deeds, mortgages, leases, agreements, power of attorney papers, and fire insurance policies.

Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.
Smith Thompson papers, 1765-1831.
80 items; collection contains correspondence, legal notes, and other papers relating primarily to Thompson's personal business and various U.S. Supreme Court cases.

New-York Historical Society
New York, N.Y.
Smith Thompson correspondence, 1796-1843.
106 items.

Princeton University
Princeton, N.J.
Smith Thompson selected papers, 1775-1949.
0.45 cubic ft. (1 box); collection contains material related to Thompson's service on the U.S. Supreme Court, and personal and financial matters.

You are here

Thompson, Smith