Joseph H. Choate
Joseph H. Choate was a prominent American lawyer and diplomat known for his significant contributions to law and public service in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1854, he became an influential figure in legal circles, particularly through his involvement in high-profile cases such as the Standard Oil antitrust litigation and the Pollock v. Farmers' Loan and Trust Co. case, where he argued against the constitutionality of the 1894 income tax law. As a Republican, Choate played a key role in political reforms, notably organizing the Committee of Seventy, which targeted corruption in New York City’s finances and helped dismantle the notorious Tweed Ring.
In addition to his legal work, Choate served as the U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain from 1899 to 1905, where he was instrumental in resolving the Alaskan boundary dispute and facilitating the U.S. construction of the Panama Canal through the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty. Renowned for his eloquence, he frequently delivered speeches in support of Republican candidates. Joseph H. Choate's legacy is marked by his legal acumen, diplomatic achievements, and commitment to public service, reflecting the complexities of American legal and political history during his lifetime.
Subject Terms
Joseph H. Choate
Significance: Choate argued in several well-known cases before the Supreme Court. In his most noted case, he successfully argued that the 1894 income tax law was unconstitutional.
After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1854, Choate was admitted to the bar in Massachusetts in 1855 and New York in 1856. He was called on to perform important legal work in connection with the Standard Oil antitrust case, the Chinese Exclusion Acts, and railroad suits. As a Republican, he helped organize the Committee of Seventy that investigated graft in New York City finances, an investigation that led to the disclosure and destruction of the Tweed Ring. A gifted speaker, he was often called on to deliver major speeches for Republican candidates.
Choate made a number of arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court. The most famous was the case of Pollock v. Farmers’ Loan and Trust Co. (1895), in which Choate established the unconstitutionality of the 1894 income tax law. From 1899 to 1905, he served as U.S. ambassador to Great Britain, settling the Alaskan boundary dispute between Canada and the United States. Choate also secured the abrogation of the 1850 Clayton-Bulwer Treaty by means of the 1901 Hay-Pauncefote Treaty, which opened the way for U.S. construction of the Panama Canal.