Joseph Henry Lumpkin
Encyclopedia
Joseph Henry Lumpkin was the first chief justice of the Supreme Court of the U.S. state
of Georgia
.
(UGA) in Athens
, Georgia
, for some time and then attended and graduated from Princeton College in 1819. After studying law under the tutelage of Thomas W. Cobb
, Lumpkin was admitted to the state bar in 1820, and he began practicing in Lexington, Georgia
.
from 1824-1825, Lumpkin returned his full attention to his legal career. In 1830, Lumpkin worked in unison with William Schley
and John H. Cuthbert to create the Georgia state penal code.
After the creation of the Supreme Court of Georgia in 1845, Lumpkin was elected as one of three initial justices to preside over that court and was its first chief justice. He served on the court until his death. Lumpkin was offered the faculty
chair of rhetoric and oratory at UGA in 1846, but he declined it. He did the same when offered the chancellorship of UGA in 1860. Even a presidential appointment to a federal seat on the Court of Claims was turned down by Lumpkin so that he could remain on the state supreme court.
. The school was previously referred to as the Lumpkin School of Law; however, Lumpkin's name has since been removed from the official name of the school. Lumpkin taught at the law school until the university shut down during the American Civil War
. He also served as a trustee for the school for many years.
However, early in his career he had expressed opposition to slavery.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
.
Education
Lumpkin attended the University of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
(UGA) in Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, for some time and then attended and graduated from Princeton College in 1819. After studying law under the tutelage of Thomas W. Cobb
Thomas W. Cobb
Thomas Willis Cobb was a United States Representative and Senator from Georgia.-Biography:Born in Columbia County, Georgia, he pursued preparatory studies, and studied law. He was admitted to the bar and practiced in Lexington, Georgia...
, Lumpkin was admitted to the state bar in 1820, and he began practicing in Lexington, Georgia
Lexington, Georgia
Lexington is a city in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, United States. The population was 239 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Oglethorpe County...
.
Career
After serving two terms in the Georgia General AssemblyGeorgia General Assembly
The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is bicameral, being composed of the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate....
from 1824-1825, Lumpkin returned his full attention to his legal career. In 1830, Lumpkin worked in unison with William Schley
William Schley
William Schley was an American lawyer, jurist, and politician.-Biography:...
and John H. Cuthbert to create the Georgia state penal code.
After the creation of the Supreme Court of Georgia in 1845, Lumpkin was elected as one of three initial justices to preside over that court and was its first chief justice. He served on the court until his death. Lumpkin was offered the faculty
Faculty (university)
A faculty is a division within a university comprising one subject area, or a number of related subject areas...
chair of rhetoric and oratory at UGA in 1846, but he declined it. He did the same when offered the chancellorship of UGA in 1860. Even a presidential appointment to a federal seat on the Court of Claims was turned down by Lumpkin so that he could remain on the state supreme court.
University of Georgia School of Law
He co-founded the UGA law schoolUniversity of Georgia School of Law
The University of Georgia School of Law is a graduate school of the University of Georgia. Founded in 1859 and located in Athens, Georgia, USA, Georgia Law was formerly known as the Lumpkin School of Law. The Law School is the second oldest of the University's schools and colleges. The University...
. The school was previously referred to as the Lumpkin School of Law; however, Lumpkin's name has since been removed from the official name of the school. Lumpkin taught at the law school until the university shut down during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He also served as a trustee for the school for many years.
Other writings
His writings and policies suggest a mixing of religion and politics:- "In the early 1820s Lumpkin underwent an evangelical conversion that profoundly affected his life. He took an active part in the temperance movement on both the national and state levels. He also believed that slavery was sanctioned by the Bible and often cited religious arguments to support continuation of that institution."
However, early in his career he had expressed opposition to slavery.
External links
- Family Papers at the Digital Library of Georgia