William Pinkney (1764–1822) was an American statesman, diplomat, and one of the era’s most skilled lawyers, shaping early U.S. foreign policy and constitutional law.
Born in Annapolis, Maryland, he studied law and was admitted to the bar (1786.) A delegate to Maryland’s convention that ratified the U.S. Constitution (1788,) he opposed ratification. He later served in the Maryland legislature and held positions on the state’s Executive Council.
Pinkney’s diplomatic career included serving as U.S. minister to Great Britain (1807–11) and Russia (1816–18.) As U.S. Attorney General (1811–14) under President James Madison, he played a key role in War of 1812 legal matters. He later served in the U.S. House of Representatives (1815–16) and Senate (1819–22.)
As a lawyer, Pinkney successfully argued landmark Supreme Court cases, including McCulloch v. Maryland (1819,) which upheld Congress’s power to charter the Bank of the United States. His legal writings and speeches were widely respected, though he did not author major books.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by William Pinkney
Oppression is but another name for irresponsible power, if history is to be trusted.
—William Pinkney
Topics: Oppression
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