John Rutledge

John Rutledge (1739-1800), American jurist, appointed chief justice of the United States, born in Charleston, South Carolina. He studied in London and began practicing law in Charleston in 1761. In 1774 he became a member of the Continental Congress, serving until 1776 and later from 1782 to 1783. During the American Revolution he helped draft the South Carolina constitution. He was governor of South Carolina from 1778 to 1782. In 1789, one year after participating in the state constitutional ratification convention, he was appointed associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He held this position until 1791, when he resigned to take the post of chief justice of South Carolina. He was appointed chief justice of the U.S. by President George Washington in 1795. Although he served for one term, his appointment was not confirmed by the U.S. Senate because of his open opposition to Jay's Treaty, which was negotiated in 1794 and disposed of outstanding Anglo-American political differences.