National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-09-17
OBITUARY.
BENJABTlN ROBBINS CURTIS.


Benjamin Robbins Curtis, Who died 81 his SUR
mer residenes At Newport on Tuesday, amer .
lingering illness, belonged 70 one Of the oldest
families Of Massachusetts, He vas Bornin Water
town, Mass on The tfh Of November, 1893, and
graduated from Harvard Universally n ls2o. He.
was admitted to the bar n 1881, and conmanoef
the practice Of Law n Northheld, but in 1s5tre-
moved to Boston Here he secured an extensive
practlc5 and WAS quielly corded aforeIost posi-
tion among the most eminent Of his eotsmpork.
ries The force Of his logic the extent OF bis legal
attainments, and the impressive style Of his de-
livery, attained for the young adToeats general
recognition, and he vas looked upon IS young
man destined to the leadership Of the bar OF lIas
sachusstts. In September, ISL, on the death OF
Judge woodbury., Mr.. Curtis was appointed q
judge Of the supreme Court Of the United States
B., President Fillmore. II vas while occupying
this position that the Judge delivered his cele-
brsted opinion IN the bred Scott case. In the
autumn OF 1851 he resigned his Judicial position,
and resumed the practice Of his profession. Mr.
Curtis business was extensive and important,
and few lawyers have ever devoted themselves 50
exclusively to the pursuit of their profession. In
Naroh, 1868, he was associated with Attorney
General Stanbury, VIM. N. EVarts and VIM. s.
0roesbeck Cor the defeEce Of President johnson
before the court ofimpeaehmsnt. Mr.. Curtis made
the opening speech, which was conceded by the
most eminent lawyers 70 have been masterpiece
Of oTatory and q faultlessly clear exposition Of
the case. It is not too mush TO say that the i'm
preston made upon the minds Of several Senators
by the brilliant opening Of Mr.OurtIs contributed
IN no ineonsidersble degree to the nnaI fesult Of
that Important trial, and stamped him as one Of
the ablest lawyers at she bar. The ex.Judge was
elected member Of the Massachusetts House Of
Representatives, and served for one session, hav-
ing, 1t vas understood, accepted the seat In that
body for the purpose Of eiecting much-needed
reforms in the legal practice Of that State. He
never took active part in politics, or was dis
tinctiTely identified with any political party
During the existence Of the Whig party he was
generally belieyed tohEve voted with that body
but fofthe past twenty years he had devoted him.
self entirely 10 the pursuit Of his profession W.
Curtis was one CT the few personal friends OF
Daniel Webster. whose peculiar style Of delivery
and department he MAS said in some measure to
possess. He was the author Of several United
States Circuit Court reports, and Of large num-
Der Of decisions and digests Of the United States
Supreme Court. HIS decisions while on the
bench OF the Supreme Court are we'll known. and
reflect credit on his ability as judge, The seal
and application exhibited by Mr.. Curtis in the
pursuit Of his profession, and the many cases in
volving intricate questions Of maritime, CONNER
cial and patent-Fight law IN which be was en-
gagged, earned for him an enviable position AMONG
his cotemporares, and gave force TO the assertion
made some time ago that he would receive the
nomination 70 the Chief Justiceship Of the United
States Supreme Court Judge Oartis' nigh So
cial position the purity and integrity Of his char
acter on the bench, and his long and snocessfal
career at the bar rendered him Justly popular In
his native State and Throughout the country.
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