George W. Woodward
George W. Woodward was a prominent legal figure and politician in Pennsylvania during the 19th century. Initially practicing law, he became a delegate to the state's constitutional convention and later ascended to a judgeship. In September 1845, President James K. Polk appointed him to the Supreme Court of the United States to fill the vacancy left by Henry Baldwin. Woodward's political stance included nativist views, which put him at odds with many Senate Democrats who opposed such ideologies. His bid for a Senate seat was unsuccessful, with Simon Cameron among those who opposed him, reflecting the political tensions regarding immigration in Pennsylvania, a state with a significant immigrant population. Beyond his Supreme Court appointment, Woodward also held positions as associate justice and chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and was elected to the U.S. Congress. His career illustrates the complexities of 19th-century American politics, particularly surrounding issues of immigration and nativism.
Subject Terms
George W. Woodward
Nominated by: James K. Polk
Significance: Woodward’s appointment to the Supreme Court was opposed by Democrats, who objected to his nativist stance.
Woodward practiced law in Pennsylvania, becoming a delegate to the state’s constitutional convention and rising to a judgeship. President James K. Polk appointed him to the Supreme Court in September, 1845, to replace Henry Baldwin. Woodward’s nativist politics, however, were in opposition to many Senate Democrats, who had made a campaign promise to reject nativism. Additionally, Woodward had run for Senate and lost to Simon Cameron, who led five other Democrats to vote with the Whigs against Woodward in January, 1846. Cameron had more than personal motives: Pennsylvania was home to a significant immigrant population. Woodward later served as associate justice and chief justice of the Pennsylvania supreme court and won an election to the U.S. Congress.
