Henry Brockholst Livingston (1757–1823) was an American Revolutionary War officer, jurist, and Supreme Court Justice, known for shaping early American law and military service.
Born in New York City, he was the son of William Livingston, a prominent political figure. He graduated from Princeton University (1774) and joined the Continental Army, serving as an aide to General Benedict Arnold during the Saratoga Campaign (1777.) He later accompanied John Jay on a diplomatic mission to Spain (1779) but was captured by the British on his return voyage.
After the war, Livingston studied law in Albany, earning recognition for his legal expertise. He served as Associate Justice of the New York Supreme Court (1802–06,) authoring 149 opinions, including a notable dissent in Pierson v. Post (1805,) a landmark property law case. In 1806, President Thomas Jefferson appointed him to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he served until his death in 1823.
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If judges would make their decisions just, they should behold neither plaintiff, defendant, nor pleader, but only the cause itself.
—Henry Brockholst Livingston
Topics: Justice
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