Edward Dexter Sohier
Encyclopedia
Edward Dexter Sohier was a United States lawyer, best remembered for defending John White Webster
in a murder trial in 1850.
, Massachusetts
on April 24, 1810. He graduated at Harvard
in 1829 and was admitted to the Suffolk
bar in October, 1832.
and more agreeable." At a meeting of the Suffolk bar to pay tribute to his memory, the presiding officer, Edward Bangs, said, "As a lawyer he stood among the first; as a man, his courtesy, his honesty, his untarnished honor, the severe strictness of his integrity, made him remarkable, even among associates abounding in such virtues." He married, February 16, 1836, Hannah Louis Amory, and died November 23, 1888.
in the Parkman–Webster murder case (1850). Sohier and Merrick lost the case and Webster was hanged, but Sohier's and Webster's detailed notes from the case survive at the Massachusetts Historical Society
, providing insight into the conduct of the defendant, the trial and the actions of his counsel not available elsewhere.
One historian characterized Sohier's appearance in 1850 at the Webster trial as
Quiet by nature, fastidiously ethical and courteous to the court, Sohier had been essentially a civil
or commercial
lawyer, a fiduciary rather than a criminal defense lawyer
. It is unusual that in 1850 he would undertake to defend in a trial which was the most sensational murder trial in America's then long history.
John White Webster
John White Webster , born in Boston, Massachusetts, was a professor of chemistry and geology at Harvard Medical College...
in a murder trial in 1850.
Early days
Edward Dexter Sohier was the son of William Davies and Elizabeth Amory (Dexter) Sohier and was born in BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
on April 24, 1810. He graduated at Harvard
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1829 and was admitted to the Suffolk
Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Suffolk County has no land border with Plymouth County to its southeast, but the two counties share a water boundary in the middle of Massachusetts Bay.-National protected areas:*Boston African American National Historic Site...
bar in October, 1832.
Career
In 1838, Sohier formed a partnership with Charles A. Welch, which continued until his death. He was remembered as a profound lawyer, full of resources, forcible in argument, sharp in repartee and conscientious in his management of cases, "as witty as Sydney SmithSydney Smith
Sydney Smith was an English writer and Anglican cleric. -Life:Born in Woodford, Essex, England, Smith was the son of merchant Robert Smith and Maria Olier , who suffered from epilepsy...
and more agreeable." At a meeting of the Suffolk bar to pay tribute to his memory, the presiding officer, Edward Bangs, said, "As a lawyer he stood among the first; as a man, his courtesy, his honesty, his untarnished honor, the severe strictness of his integrity, made him remarkable, even among associates abounding in such virtues." He married, February 16, 1836, Hannah Louis Amory, and died November 23, 1888.
Webster trial
He is best known for being the junior counsel with Pliny T. MerrickPliny T. Merrick
Pliny T. Merrick Attorney and Judge of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts 1853 - 1864.-Early history:Pliny T. Merrick son of Hon. Pliny Merrick and Ruth Cutler Merrick was born in Brookfield, Massachusetts August 2, 1794. He was married May 23, 1821 to Rebecca Thomas, daughter of Isaiah...
in the Parkman–Webster murder case (1850). Sohier and Merrick lost the case and Webster was hanged, but Sohier's and Webster's detailed notes from the case survive at the Massachusetts Historical Society
Massachusetts Historical Society
The Massachusetts Historical Society is a major historical archive specializing in early American, Massachusetts, and New England history...
, providing insight into the conduct of the defendant, the trial and the actions of his counsel not available elsewhere.
One historian characterized Sohier's appearance in 1850 at the Webster trial as
...striking. Of medium build, his gray moustache and long sideburns framed his semi-bald, handsome head. The wrinkles between and above his white eyebrows gave indication of the seriousness of this man who was the founder of ... one of Boston's most prestigious and probably oldest firms.
Quiet by nature, fastidiously ethical and courteous to the court, Sohier had been essentially a civil
Civil law (legal system)
Civil law is a legal system inspired by Roman law and whose primary feature is that laws are codified into collections, as compared to common law systems that gives great precedential weight to common law on the principle that it is unfair to treat similar facts differently on different...
or commercial
Commercial law
Commercial law is the body of law that governs business and commercial transactions...
lawyer, a fiduciary rather than a criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
A criminal defense lawyer is a lawyer specializing in the defense of individuals and companies charged with criminal conduct. Criminal defense lawyers can be permanently employed by the various jurisdictions with criminal courts. Such lawyers are often called public defenders. For a much more...
. It is unusual that in 1850 he would undertake to defend in a trial which was the most sensational murder trial in America's then long history.