William Alexander Duer
Encyclopedia
William Alexander Duer (September 8, 1780 – May 30, 1858) was an American
lawyer, jurist, and educator from New York City
. He was a president of Columbia University
, then Columbia College.
in New York. During the quasi-war with France in 1798 he obtained the appointment of midshipman in the navy, and served under Stephen Decatur
. On the adjustment of the French question, he resumed his studies with Pendleton, and was admitted to the bar in 1802.
He engaged in business with Edward Livingston
, who was then district attorney and mayor of New York, and, after moving to New Orleans, formed a professional partnership with his brother-in-law, Beverley Robinson. About this time he contributed to a partisan weekly paper called the Corrector, conducted by Peter Irving in support of Aaron Burr
. Duer shortly afterward joined Livingston at New Orleans, and studied Spanish civil law. He was successful, but, owing to the climate and to his marriage with the daughter of William Denning
, a prominent whig of New York, he was induced to resume practice in the latter city.
In New York he contributed literary articles to the Morning Chronicle, the newspaper of his friend Peter Irving. He next opened an office in Rhinebeck, and in 1814 was elected to the New York State Assembly
, where he was appointed chairman of a committee on colleges and academies, and succeeded in passing a bill, which is the original of the existing law on the subject of the common-school income. He was also chairman of the committee that arranged the constitutionality of the state law vesting the right of navigation in Livingston and Robert Fulton
, and throughout his service bore a prominent part in promoting canal legislation.
He was judge of the New York Supreme Court
from 1822 until 1829, when he was elected president of Columbia College
(now Columbia University
), where he remained until failing health compelled him to resign in 1842. During his administration he delivered to the senior class a course of lectures on the constitutional jurisprudence of the United States (published in 1833; revised ed., 1856). He delivered a eulogy on President James Monroe
from the portico of the city hall. After his retirement he resided in Morristown, New Jersey
.
, both of which were published. He was the author of two pamphlets addressed to Cadwallader D. Colden
on the “Steamboat Controversy,” and the “Life of William Alexander, Earl of Stirling” (New York, 1847).
man. His brother John Duer
was a New York lawyer and jurist.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer, jurist, and educator from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He was a president of Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, then Columbia College.
Biography
He was the son of William and Catherine Duer. He studied law in Philadelphia, and with Nathaniel PendletonNathaniel Pendleton
Nathaniel Pendleton was a lawyer and judge in the United States at the time of the American Revolutionary War and afterward....
in New York. During the quasi-war with France in 1798 he obtained the appointment of midshipman in the navy, and served under Stephen Decatur
Stephen Decatur
Stephen Decatur, Jr. , was an American naval officer notable for his many naval victories in the early 19th century. He was born on the eastern shore of Maryland, Worcester county, the son of a U.S. Naval Officer who served during the American Revolution. Shortly after attending college Decatur...
. On the adjustment of the French question, he resumed his studies with Pendleton, and was admitted to the bar in 1802.
He engaged in business with Edward Livingston
Edward Livingston
Edward Livingston was an American jurist and statesman. He was an influential figure in the drafting of the Louisiana Civil Code of 1825, a civil code based largely on the Napoleonic Code. He represented both New York, and later Louisiana in Congress and he served as the U.S...
, who was then district attorney and mayor of New York, and, after moving to New Orleans, formed a professional partnership with his brother-in-law, Beverley Robinson. About this time he contributed to a partisan weekly paper called the Corrector, conducted by Peter Irving in support of Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr, Jr. was an important political figure in the early history of the United States of America. After serving as a Continental Army officer in the Revolutionary War, Burr became a successful lawyer and politician...
. Duer shortly afterward joined Livingston at New Orleans, and studied Spanish civil law. He was successful, but, owing to the climate and to his marriage with the daughter of William Denning
William Denning
William Denning was a United States Representative from New York. Born probably in St. John's, Newfoundland in April 1740, he moved to New York City in early youth and engaged in mercantile pursuits...
, a prominent whig of New York, he was induced to resume practice in the latter city.
In New York he contributed literary articles to the Morning Chronicle, the newspaper of his friend Peter Irving. He next opened an office in Rhinebeck, and in 1814 was elected to the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
, where he was appointed chairman of a committee on colleges and academies, and succeeded in passing a bill, which is the original of the existing law on the subject of the common-school income. He was also chairman of the committee that arranged the constitutionality of the state law vesting the right of navigation in Livingston and Robert Fulton
Robert Fulton
Robert Fulton was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat...
, and throughout his service bore a prominent part in promoting canal legislation.
He was judge of the New York Supreme Court
New York Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in thestate court system of New York, United States. There is a supreme court in each of New York State's 62 counties, although some smaller counties share judges with neighboring counties...
from 1822 until 1829, when he was elected president of Columbia College
Columbia College of Columbia University
Columbia College is the oldest undergraduate college at Columbia University, situated on the university's main campus in Morningside Heights in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. It was founded in 1754 by the Church of England as King's College, receiving a Royal Charter from King George II...
(now Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
), where he remained until failing health compelled him to resign in 1842. During his administration he delivered to the senior class a course of lectures on the constitutional jurisprudence of the United States (published in 1833; revised ed., 1856). He delivered a eulogy on President James Monroe
James Monroe
James Monroe was the fifth President of the United States . Monroe was the last president who was a Founding Father of the United States, and the last president from the Virginia dynasty and the Republican Generation...
from the portico of the city hall. After his retirement he resided in Morristown, New Jersey
Morristown, New Jersey
Morristown is a town in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 18,411. It is the county seat of Morris County. Morristown became characterized as "the military capital of the American Revolution" because of its strategic role in the...
.
Works
After retiring, he wrote the life of his grandfather, Lord Stirling (published by the Historical Society of New Jersey). In 1847 he delivered an address in the college chapel before the literary societies of Columbia, and in 1848 an historical address before the St. Nicholas Society, which gives early reminiscences of New York, and describes the scenes connected with the inauguration of President WashingtonGeorge Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, both of which were published. He was the author of two pamphlets addressed to Cadwallader D. Colden
Cadwallader D. Colden
Cadwallader David Colden was an American politician.-Life:...
on the “Steamboat Controversy,” and the “Life of William Alexander, Earl of Stirling” (New York, 1847).
Family
His son William was a United States CongressUnited States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
man. His brother John Duer
John Duer
John Duer was a New York jurist.-Biography:He was the son of William and Catherine Duer. He entered the army in his sixteenth year, but after two years left the service for the study of law...
was a New York lawyer and jurist.