John Marshall
John Marshall (September 24, 1755 – July 6, 1835) was the Chief Justice of
the United States (1801–35) whose court opinions helped lay the basis for
American constitutional law and made the Supreme Court of the United
States a coequal branch of government along with the legislative and
executive branches. The longest-serving Chief Justice of the United States,
Marshall played a significant role in the development of the American legal
system. He reinforced the principle that federal courts are obligated to
exercise judicial review, by disregarding purported laws if they violate the
Constitution. The Marshall Court made several important decisions
relating to the balance of power between the federal government and the
states repeatedly confirming the supremacy of federal law over state law,
and supporting an expansive reading of the enumerated powers.
the United States (1801–35) whose court opinions helped lay the basis for
American constitutional law and made the Supreme Court of the United
States a coequal branch of government along with the legislative and
executive branches. The longest-serving Chief Justice of the United States,
Marshall played a significant role in the development of the American legal
system. He reinforced the principle that federal courts are obligated to
exercise judicial review, by disregarding purported laws if they violate the
Constitution. The Marshall Court made several important decisions
relating to the balance of power between the federal government and the
states repeatedly confirming the supremacy of federal law over state law,
and supporting an expansive reading of the enumerated powers.