John Marshall

John Marshall, the fourth chief justice of the United States, strengthened the idea of an independent federal judiciary. Additionally, he established the concept of judicial review, in which the Supreme Court could pronounce a law of Congress as unconstitutional.

In cases brought to the Court between 1810 and 1824—years in which the Marshall Court enjoyed great stability and harmony Marshall used the Court’s judicial review to nullify state laws violating constitutional restraints of state power. The effect of Marshall’s long tenure as chief justice (1801–35) was to strengthen the Court, the Constitution, and the federal government. The Court became a preeminent interpreter of the Constitution, and the federal government’s enumerated powers were given a broad interpretation, making it superior to those of the states.

Cephas Thompson painted a portrait of Marshall from life in Richmond, Virginia, as well as six replicas for admirers.