Choate, Rufus, 1799-1859

Dates

Existence: 1799 - 1859

Biography

Rufus Choate was born on October 1, 1799, in Essex, Massachusetts. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1819 and worked as a tutor for the College, to pay of his college debts, until 1820. He entered the law offices of William Wirt in Washington, DC in 1821 and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1822. In 1825, he established a law practice in Danvers, Massachusetts and was elected to the Lower House of the Massachusetts General Court. Two years later he was elected to the state senate and in 1830, to Congress on the anti-Jackson ticket, where he served two terms before resuming his law practice in 1835. In 1841, Choate was chosen to complete Webster's term in the US Senate, returning to his law practice in 1845. Even though he never returned to professional politics, he took an important part in the Massachusetts Convention to revise the state constitution in 1853. Choate died in Halifax, Nova Scotia on July 13, 1859.

Found in 16 Collections and/or Records:

Asa Lyon letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 818101

Mss 818101

Date(s): 1818-01-01

Abstract

In English.

Chauncey Allen Goodrich letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 852625

Webster Mss 852625

Date(s): 1852-11-25

Scope and Contents

Letter from Chauncey Allen Goodrich in New Haven, Connecticut to Rufus Choate, explaining his sending a book to Choate and describes Webster and his oratory in the Dartmouth College case. (Photocopy)

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 841457

Webster Mss 841457

Date(s): 1841-08-07

Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 844358

Webster Mss 844358

Date(s): 1844-06-08

Abstract

In English.

Isaac Bates letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 842257.2

Mss 842257.2

Date(s): 1842-04-08

Abstract

In English.

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court certificate of admission

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 825603.1

Mss 825603.1

Date(s): 1825-11-03

Abstract

In English.

Petition to the United States Treasury

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 847380.1

Webster Mss 847380.1

Date(s): 1847-06-30

Abstract

In English.

Reuben Dimond Mussey letter of certification

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 821311

Mss 821311

Date(s): 1821-05-11

Abstract

In English.

Rufus Choate daguerreotype

Box 1

Identifier: 1728

Iconography 1728

Date(s): before 1857

Rufus Choate legal note

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 836607

Mss 836607

Date(s): 1836-11-07

Abstract

Unidentified case note of Rufus Choate, probably from the Essex Superior Justice Court of Massachusetts. The note is dated November 7, 1836 and summarizes cause of action. The parties and significant portions of the document are illegible.

Rufus Choate letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 841669

Mss 841669

Date(s): 1841-12-19

Abstract

In English.

Rufus Choate letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 846900.2

Mss 846900.2

Date(s): 1846

Abstract

In English.

Rufus Choate letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 851368

Webster Mss 851368

Date(s): 1851-06-18

Abstract

Letter from Rufus Choate to Daniel Webster asking Webster to examine the enclosed letters from Asa Andrews (Mss 851257) and Otis P. Lord (Mss 851255).

Rufus Choate papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-406

MS-406

Date(s): 1811 to 1859

Abstract

Rufus Choate (1799-1859), lawyer. Dartmouth College Class of 1819. The collection consists of correspondence, student copybooks, manuscripts of lectures and speeches, notes on classical studies as well as notes and briefs for legal cases, account books and a travel diary.

Theophilus Parsons letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 849123

Mss 849123

Date(s): 1849-01-23

Abstract

In English.

Thomas Sewall letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 841661

Mss 841661

Date(s): 1841-11-11

Scope and Contents

Letter from Thomas Sewall in Washington, D.C. to Thomas E. Bond in New York City, telling him that he would like Dr. Bond to remark favorably on an essay of his to promote temperance. Endorsed on address side "From R. Choate, Senate US."