David Josiah Brewer

Date of Birth: June 20, 1837

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: March 28, 1910

Biography

David Josiah Brewer was an influential American jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1889 to 1910. Born in Smyrna, now part of İzmir, Turkey, Brewer was the son of American missionaries. He moved to the United States at the age of two and grew up in Connecticut and New York. Brewer attended Yale University, graduating in 1856, and later studied law at Albany Law School, earning his degree in 1858. Brewer began his legal career in Kansas, where he served as a city attorney, probate judge, and district judge before being appointed to the Kansas Supreme Court in 1870. He later served on the United States Circuit Court for the Eighth Circuit before his appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Benjamin Harrison in 1889. On the Supreme Court, Brewer was known for his strong opinions on individual liberties and his opposition to governmental overreach. He was instrumental in several landmark cases and was noted for his clear and concise legal writing. He was also an advocate for international arbitration and played a role in resolving several international disputes. Brewer’s tenure on the Supreme Court lasted until his death in 1910. His legacy includes a commitment to judicial independence, the protection of civil liberties, and the promotion of international peace through arbitration.

5 Interesting Facts about David Josiah Brewer

1. David Josiah Brewer was born in Smyrna, Turkey, where his parents were missionaries.

2. Brewer was a graduate of Yale University and Albany Law School.

3. He served on the Kansas Supreme Court before his appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court.

4. Brewer was known for advocating individual liberties and opposing governmental overreach.

5. He played a significant role in promoting international arbitration to resolve disputes peacefully.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from David Josiah Brewer

1. “The law does not pretend to punish everything that is dishonest. That would seriously interfere with business.”

2. “It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes cheated than not to trust.”

3. “The great ideals of liberty and equality are meant for all, not just for some.”

4. “Judicial independence is essential to the preservation of liberty.”

5. “Peaceful arbitration is the highest form of civilization.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Not applicable; historical figures such as David Josiah Brewer did not have publicly recorded net worths akin to contemporary standards.

Children

David Josiah Brewer and his wife, Louise Landon Brewer, had a total of six children. Their names were: 1. Elizabeth Brewer 2. Sophia Brewer 3. David Josiah Brewer Jr. 4. Henry Brewer 5. Mary Brewer 6. Louise Brewer