Harlan, John Marshall, 1833-1911

U.S. Supreme Court justice.

From the description of John Marshall Harlan : miscellaneous papers, 1869-1906. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 49278815

John M. Harlan was born on June 1, 1833, at Harlan Station, Kentucky. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1853. During the Civil War he raised and commanded a Union regiment. In 1862, he defeated John Hunt Morgan at Rolling Fork River Bridge. Shortly there after, he resigned from the army because of the death of his father. He won a special election to obtain his father's office as attorney general of Kentucky. He served in this capacity until 1867. Harlan had undergone a political transformation after the war, becoming a Radical Republican. He lost several state elections but, in doing so, established the Republican Party in Kentucky. In 1876, Harlan led the Republican delegation from Kentucky, to the National Convention in Ohio. When he became convinced that the ticket of Benjamin Bristow (his law partner) and James Blaine could not win, he delivered the delegation for Rutherford B. Hayes. Hayes rewarded him with an appointment to the Supreme Court. He served as a justice from 1877-1911. Harlan was the leading liberal on a conservative court. He came out against "separate but equal" by being the lone dissent in Plessy v. Ferguson and Berea College v. Knetucky. He believed Congress could levy income tax and in a strong enforcement of the Sherman Antitrust Act. He died at his home in 1911.

From the description of John M. Harlan papers : letters, 1879-1886. (Kentucky Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 36878546

Associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, and lawyer and politician of Kentucky.

From the description of John Marshall Harlan papers, 1810-1971 (bulk 1861-1911). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79448923

Supreme Court justice.

From the description of John Marshall Harlan family papers, 1829-1850. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71061460

Harlan graduated from Center College, Kentucky in 1850 and studied law at Transylvania University. He practiced law until the start of the Civil War, when he was in the Tenth Kentucky Infantry Regiment. After the war, he returned to the practice of law and was involved in state politics. In 1877, he became associate justice of the US. Supreme Court, where he remained until his death.

From the description of Letters and autograph, 1888-1910. (Harvard Law School Library). WorldCat record id: 234339111

John M. Harlan was commissioned in the Kentucky 10th Infantry as a colonel on 21 November 1861. He resigned on 6 April 1863 due to the death of his father.

William E. Ludlow was mustered into the Indiana 10th Infantry as a sergeant on 18 September 1861. He was promoted to 1st lieutenant and adjutant on 22 June 1862. Ludlow was mustered out on 20 September 1864.

Oliver P. Morton was the fourteenth governor of Indiana. He established himself as a "War Governor" because of his strong efforts to support the Civil War, one of which was to allow Indiana residents to apply in the Kentucky army.

From the description of Letter, 1862 September 11 [to] Oliver P. Morton. (Indiana Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 52890975

Biographical Note

• 1833, June 1: Born, Boyle County, Ky.
• 1850: Graduated, Centre College, Danville, Ky. Studied law, Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky.
• 1853: Admitted to bar
• 1854 - 1856 : City attorney, Frankfort, Ky.
• 1856: Married Malvina French Shanklin (1838-1916)
• 1858 - 1861 : County judge, Franklin County, Ky.
• 1859: Defeated as candidate for seat in United States House of Representatives
• 1861 - 1863 : Commanded Tenth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry in Union Army
• 1863: Resumed law practice, Frankfort, Ky.
• 1863 - 1867 : Attorney general of Kentucky
• 1867: Began practice of law in Louisville, Ky.
• 1871: 1875: Defeated as Republican candidate for governor of Kentucky
• 1876: Supported candidacy of Benjamin Helm Bristow for Republican nomination for president; at Republican convention switched support to Rutherford B. Hayes
• 1877: Member, Louisiana commission to settle the disputed election of 1876
• 1877 - 1911 : Associate justice, United States Supreme Court
• 1889 - 1910 : Professor of constitutional law , George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
• 1892: United States representative in Bering Sea arbitration with Great Britain
• 1911, Oct. 14: Died, Washington, D.C.

From the guide to the John Marshall Harlan Papers, 1810-1971, (bulk 1861-1911), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)