Choate, Rufus, 1799-1859

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 15 Collections and/or Records:

Asa Lyon letter

Mss 818101
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 818101
Date(s): 1818-01-01
Abstract

In English.

Chauncey Allen Goodrich letter

Webster Mss 852625
 Collection
Identifier: 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

Webster Mss 841457
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 841457
Date(s): 1841-08-07
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

Webster Mss 844358
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 844358
Date(s): 1844-06-08
Abstract

In English.

Isaac Bates letter

Mss 842257.2
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 842257.2
Date(s): 1842-04-08
Abstract

In English.

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court certificate of admission

Mss 825603.1
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 825603.1
Date(s): 1825-11-03
Abstract

In English.

Petition to the United States Treasury

Webster Mss 847380.1
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 847380.1
Date(s): 1847-06-30
Abstract

In English.

Reuben Dimond Mussey letter of certification

Mss 821311
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 821311
Date(s): 1821-05-11
Abstract

In English.

Rufus Choate daguerreotype

Iconography 1728
 Box: 1
Identifier: 1728
Date(s): before 1857

Rufus Choate legal note

Mss 836607
 Collection
Identifier: 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.