Odd historical fact: Shortest term on the Supreme Court


Who served the shortest term as a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court?

There is a clue in this famous cartoon by Thomas Nast (okay — the cartoon really gives it away, doesn’t it?):

Thomas Nast, Live Jackass kicking a Dead Lion,Harper's Bazaar, January 15, 1870

Cartoon depicting Democrats Thomas Nast, Live Jackass kicking a Dead Lion. Edwin Stanton was fired as Secretary of War by President Andrew Johnson, contrary to the Tenure of Office Act, and that action brought on the impeachment and trial of Johnson (who was acquitted by one vote). Later, President U. S. Grant appointed the financially and health ailing Stanton to the Supreme Court. Stanton was confirmed, but went home and died that night, December 24. Stanton’s opponents continued to try to smear him. Nast’s cartoon was the result. Harper’s Bazaar, January 15, 1870

Watch for the answer in a future post.

Image: Thomas Nast cartoon from Harper’s Weekly, January 15, 1870. Nast’s use in cartoons greatly popularized the use of a donkey as a symbol of the Democratic Party, whose official animal mascot is a rooster. Image in public domain, this one from the Thomas Nast Portfolio of The Ohio State University.

Also, note the explanation by Ray in comments, for historical accuracy.

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 4th, 2007 at 11:44 am and is filed under 1861-1865, Cartoons, Political cartoons, Reconstruction, U.S. Supreme Court. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

3 Responses to Odd historical fact: Shortest term on the Supreme Court

  1. Unknown's avatar Shortest term on the Supreme Court, and an unexpected controversy « Millard Fillmore’s Bathtub . says:
    August 5, 2007 at 4:32 am

    […] I posed a question about who served the shortest term on the Supreme Court. […]

    Like

  2. Shuribear's avatar Ray says:
    August 4, 2007 at 10:07 pm

    Hi Ed,

    Actually according the The Supreme Court itself, Edwin M. Stanton was not an official member of the Supreme Court. He died before he could fulfill the necessary steps toward becoming a Member of the Court. Here is a link to the PDF from the Supreme Court web site: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/about/members.pdf

    You will see on the PDF that Stanton is not listed as a Justice, but is covered in the notes section at the bottom of the PDF.

    The member of the Supreme Court who actually sat on the court and is recognized as a member was Thomas Johnson of Maryland. He was appointed by Washington and served from August 6, 1792, to January 16, 1793 for a total time of 5 months 10 days.

    Ray

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  3. University Update - Ohio State University - Odd historical fact: Shortest term on the Supreme Court says:
    August 4, 2007 at 12:59 pm

    […] of Wisconsin Contact the Webmaster Link to Article ohio state university Odd historical fact: Shortest term on the Supreme Court » […]

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