John W. Wallace
John W. Wallace was a prominent legal scholar and librarian in the 19th century, following in the footsteps of his father into the field of law. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1833 but chose to focus on scholarship and librarianship rather than traditional legal practice. Wallace gained recognition for his significant contributions to legal literature and became a respected authority in the field prior to the Civil War. Appointed as the Supreme Court reporter in 1863, he served in this role until 1875, during which he published twenty-three volumes of the Supreme Court Reporter. His publications were noted for their erudition and accuracy, making impactful contributions to legal scholarship. After his retirement from the Supreme Court, Wallace continued to write and engage in legal scholarship. Additionally, he held the position of president of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania from 1868 until his passing in 1884, further solidifying his legacy in the legal community.
Subject Terms
John W. Wallace
Significance: Wallace was the last Supreme Court reporter whose name was used in official citations of cases.
Wallace followed his father into the study of law. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1833, but instead of going into practice, found himself attracted to legal scholarship and librarianship. He wrote highly regarded works of legal erudition and was a well-known legal authority before the Civil War. When Jeremiah S. Black resigned as Supreme Court reporter, Wallace was appointed in his place. He began his duties on March 21, 1863, and resigned from the position on October 9, 1875. During that period, twenty-three volumes of Supreme Court Reporter appeared attached to his name, and the twenty-third volume was the last one in the Court’s history to bear the name of the reporter on its spine. Thereafter, the volumes appeared as United States Reports, and the identity of the reporter was revealed only on each volume’s title page. Wallace’s work was highly praised for its erudition and accuracy. Upon his retirement, he continued to produce works of high-quality legal scholarship. He also served as the president of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania from 1868 until his death in 1884.
