William Wirt
William Wirt (1772-1834) was a prominent American lawyer and politician, who made significant contributions to the legal landscape during the early 19th century. After being admitted to the Virginia state bar in 1792, he gained recognition for his defense in high-profile cases, notably the treason trial of Aaron Burr. His expertise led to his appointment as U.S. Attorney General by President James Monroe, a role he held for twelve years, shaping key legal precedents in the process.
Wirt was influenced by Chief Justice John Marshall’s interpretation of the Constitution, advocating for federal supremacy over state actions. During his tenure, he argued several landmark cases, including McCulloch v. Maryland and Gibbons v. Ogden, which addressed the balance of state and federal powers. A vocal critic of President Andrew Jackson, Wirt championed the rights of Native Americans in cases like Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, challenging Jackson's policies. Although his efforts to protect the Cherokee were ultimately disregarded, these legal battles played a crucial role in defining tribal sovereignty in the context of federal law. Wirt's legacy continues to resonate in discussions about the relationship between government authority and individual rights.
Subject Terms
William Wirt
Lawyer
- Born: November 8, 1772
- Birthplace: Bladensburg, Maryland
- Died: February 18, 1834
- Place of death: Washington, D.C.
Significance: As a well-known trial lawyer and U.S. attorney general, Wirt, a champion of strong federal authority, argued many precedent-setting cases before the Supreme Court.
Wirt was admitted to the Virginia state bar in 1792. His growing reputation as a trial lawyer in highprofile cases, such as Aaron Burr’s treason trial, eventually led to his appointment as U.S. attorney general by President James Monroe. He held this important cabinet position for twelve years until the end of John Quincy Adams’s administration.
Influenced by Chief Justice John Marshall’s nationalistic interpretation of the Constitution, Wirt firmly supported federal supremacy and regulatory measures to curb the states’ commercial and judicial activities. During his years as attorney general, he argued many famous cases before the Court under Marshall: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819), Cohens v. Virginia (1821), Gibbons v. Ogden (1824), and Brown v. Maryland (1827).
A staunch opponent of President Andrew Jackson, Wirt served as advocate for the Cherokee cause before the Court in the Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831) and Worcester v. Georgia (1832). Although Jackson ignored Marshall’s 1832 ruling and removed the Cherokees from their homeland, these cases became precedents for defining tribal sovereignty and the relationship between tribal nations and the federal government.