Levi Woodbury

Levi Woodbury

Name	Levi Woodbury
Birth name
Birth date	December 22, 1789
Birth place	Francestown, New Hampshire, United States
Death date	September 4, 1851
Death place	Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States
Alma mater	Dartmouth College, Litchfield Law School
Occupation	Lawyer, Politician, Judge
Years active
Organization
Known for
Notable works
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Website

Levi Woodbury (December 22, 1789 – September 4, 1851) was an American lawyer, politician, and judge who served in various capacities at both the state and federal levels. He was a United States Senator, Governor of New Hampshire, Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of the Treasury, and an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Early Life and Education

Levi Woodbury was born in Francestown, New Hampshire, to a prominent family. He attended Dartmouth College, where he graduated in 1809. He then studied law at the Litchfield Law School in Connecticut, one of the first formal law schools in the United States, and was admitted to the bar in 1812.

Political Career

Woodbury's political career began in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, where he served from 1816 to 1817. He was appointed as an associate justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court in 1817, serving until 1823. In 1823, he became the Governor of New Hampshire, a position he held for one year.

In 1825, Woodbury was elected to the United States Senate as a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, serving until 1831. During his time in the Senate, he was a strong supporter of Andrew Jackson and his policies.

Cabinet Positions

In 1831, President Andrew Jackson appointed Woodbury as the United States Secretary of the Navy. He served in this role until 1834, when he was appointed as the United States Secretary of the Treasury. As Secretary of the Treasury, Woodbury was involved in the "Bank War" and supported Jackson's efforts to dismantle the Second Bank of the United States. He served as Secretary of the Treasury until 1841.

Supreme Court

In 1845, President James K. Polk appointed Woodbury as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He served on the Court until his death in 1851. During his tenure, Woodbury was known for his opinions that often reflected his Democratic principles and his support for states' rights.

Legacy

Levi Woodbury's contributions to American law and politics were significant. He was the first person to have served in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the U.S. government. His work in the Treasury Department and on the Supreme Court left a lasting impact on American legal and financial systems.

Also see

• Andrew Jackson
• James K. Polk
• United States Supreme Court
• Second Bank of the United States
• Democratic-Republican Party