Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court and a signatory to the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Maryland
1741 CE
to 1811 CE
Samuel Chase (April 17, 1741 – June 19, 1811) is an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court and a signatory to the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Maryland.
He is impeached on grounds of letting his partisan leanings affect his court decisions, but is acquitted by the Senate and remains in office.
Born near Princess Anne, Maryland, Chase establishes a legal practice in Annapolis, Maryland.
He serves in the Maryland General Assembly for several years and favors independence during the American Revolution.
He wins election to the Continental Congress before serving on the Baltimore District Criminal Court and the Maryland General Court.
In 1796, President George Washington appoints Chase to the United States Supreme Court.
After the 1800 elections, President Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans seek to weaken Federalist influence on the federal courts.
Chase's actions on the court have been accused of demonstrating bias and Jefferson believes that Chase should be removed from office.
The House of Representatives impeaches Chase on eight articles of impeachment, all centering on Chase's alleged political bias.
The Senate votes to acquit Chase on all counts, and Chase serves on the Supreme Court until his death in 1811.
Some historians have argued that Chase's acquittal set an important precedent regarding the independence of the federal judiciary.
