Simon Greenleaf

Date of Birth: December 5, 1783

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: October 6, 1853

Biography

Simon Greenleaf was a renowned American lawyer and jurist, best known for his significant contributions to the field of legal evidence. Born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, he became a prominent figure in the legal community during the 19th century. After graduating from Harvard Law School, Greenleaf became a professor at Harvard, where he played a pivotal role in shaping legal education. His most notable work, “A Treatise on the Law of Evidence,” became a cornerstone text for legal professionals and students alike. Additionally, Greenleaf was a devout Christian, and his work “The Testimony of the Evangelists” applied his legal expertise to analyze the reliability of the Gospels, bolstering the intellectual defense of Christianity.

5 Interesting Facts about Simon Greenleaf

1. Simon Greenleaf was instrumental in founding the Harvard Law School’s reputation for excellence in legal education.

2. His treatise on the law of evidence remained a standard reference in American courts for many decades.

3. Greenleaf was a member of the Massachusetts legislature before his appointment to the Harvard faculty.

4. He converted to Christianity later in life and became a prominent apologist, using his legal skills to argue for the reliability of the New Testament.

5. Greenleaf was a close friend and colleague of Joseph Story, another influential figure in American legal education.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Simon Greenleaf

1. “The foundation of justice is good faith.”

2. “In our laws, the recollections of memory are admitted as the highest evidence.”

3. “Every document, apparently ancient, coming from the proper repository or custody, and bearing on its face no evident marks of forgery, the law presumes to be genuine.”

4. “The object of all evidence is to ascertain the truth.”

5. “Christianity does not profess to convince the perverse and headstrong, but to challenge the attention and consideration of those who seek the truth.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

There are no reliable historical records to ascertain the exact net worth of Simon Greenleaf. However, given his prominence and contributions, he was likely well-compensated during his tenure at Harvard and through his publications.