Noah Haynes Swayne

Details

Birth

December 7, 1804 · Frederick County, Virginia

Death

June 8, 1884

Law school

Read law (Brooks, Francis)

Prior experience

Various legal and public service prior to appointment

Biography

Noah Haynes Swayne (December 7, 1804 – June 8, 1884) was an American jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1862 to 1881. Born in Frederick County, Virginia, to Quaker parents, Swayne was educated locally before studying law and being admitted to the Virginia bar in 1823. Despite his Southern origins, his Quaker upbringing instilled strong anti-slavery convictions that would define his career. In 1824, he relocated to Ohio, where he established a successful legal practice in Columbus and became active in Whig politics. He served as United States Attorney for Ohio from 1830 to 1841 and was involved in various anti-slavery activities, including helping fugitive slaves escape through the Underground Railroad. President Abraham Lincoln appointed Swayne to the Supreme Court in January 1862, making him the first of Lincoln's five appointees to the Court. As a justice, Swayne was a reliable supporter of federal authority and civil rights, particularly during Reconstruction. His judicial philosophy emphasized broad federal power and the protection of individual rights, especially for formerly enslaved people. He wrote the majority opinion in Gelpcke v. City of Dubuque (1864), which strengthened federal jurisdiction over state court decisions involving federal questions. Swayne also supported the Court's validation of the Legal Tender Acts and consistently voted to uphold congressional Reconstruction measures. Though he aspired to become Chief Justice, President Ulysses S. Grant passed him over in favor of Morrison Waite in 1874. Swayne retired from the Court in 1881 and died three years later. His legacy rests primarily on his unwavering support for federal power during the Civil War era and his commitment to advancing civil rights during Reconstruction.

Notable opinions

• Ex parte Milligan
• Slaughter-House Cases