William T. Otto
William T. Otto was a prominent American lawyer, judge, and law professor born in Philadelphia, who later moved to Indiana. After establishing a successful legal career, he became an influential figure in public service, notably as the assistant secretary of the interior in 1863, where he focused on Indian affairs. Otto is recognized for his legal expertise, particularly highlighted by his role as an arbitrator for claims against Spain in 1871 and his successful argument in the 1875 Supreme Court case Murdock v. Memphis, which clarified the review powers of federal courts over state law. Additionally, he served as the Supreme Court's reporter of decisions from 1875 to 1883, editing seventeen volumes of the United States Reports and innovatively omitting his name from the volume spines. After leaving the Supreme Court, he returned to private practice and represented the U.S. at the Universal Postal Congress in 1885. Otto was known for his approachable and friendly demeanor, contributing to his reputation as a respected figure in both legal and public circles.
Subject Terms
William T. Otto
Significance: Otto was the first Supreme Court reporter to issue volumes of the United States Reports without his name on the spines.
Born in Philadelphia, Otto moved to Indiana after studying law. In Indiana, he established himself as a distinguished lawyer, judge, and professor of law. A supporter of Abraham Lincoln, Otto received an appointment in 1863 as assistant secretary of the interior. In that position, Otto was involved principally in Indian affairs. In 1871 he served as an arbitrator for claims against Spain made by U.S. citizens in Cuba. In 1875 he argued successfully before the Supreme Court in Murdock v. Memphis that the Judiciary Act of 1867 could not be inferred to radically expand the review powers of the federal judiciary over state courts interpreting state law.
Also in 1875, shortly after Murdock, Otto succeeded John W. Wallace as the Supreme Court’s reporter of decisions, a position he held until 1883. He edited seventeen volumes (91-107) of the United States Reports, and he was the first to issue the volumes without his name on the spines, as previous reporters had done. In 1883 he resumed private practice, and in 1885 he served as the U.S. representative to the Universal Postal Congress in Lisbon, Portugal. In private, Otto was an easygoing, affable man.