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Wirt, William, 1772-1834

 

Biography

William Wirt was born in Bladensburg, Maryland on November 8, 1772. He was admitted to the Virginia bar in 1792 and began practicing at Culpeper Courthouse. From 1817-1829, Wirt was Attorney General of the United States. In 1824, Attorney General Wirt argued for the United States against Daniel Webster in Gibbons v. Ogden that the federal patent laws preempted New York State's patent grant to steamboat inventor Robert Fulton's successor, Aaron Ogden, of the exclusive right to operate a steamboat between New York and New Jersey in the Hudson River. Wirt died on February 18, 1834.

Found in 13 Collections and/or Records:

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 831572.1
Webster Mss 831572.1
Date(s): 1831-10-22
Abstract

In English.

Salma Hale letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 818260
Mss 818260
Date(s): 1818-04-10
Abstract

In English.

Thomas Speed letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 818573
Mss 818573
Date(s): 1818-10-23
Abstract

In English.

U.S. President Adams patent

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 827131
Mss 827131
Date(s): 1827-01-31
Abstract

In English.

William Wirt letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 820326
Mss 820326
Date(s): 1820-05-26
Abstract

In English.

William Wirt letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 820571
Mss 820571
Date(s): 1820-10-21
Abstract

In English.

William Wirt letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 818261
Mss 818261
Date(s): 1818-04-11
Abstract

In English.

William Wirt letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 829408
Webster Mss 829408
Date(s): 1829-07-08
Abstract

In English.

William Wirt letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 824378
Mss 824378
Date(s): 1824-06-28
Abstract

In English.

William Wirt letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 830304
Webster Mss 830304
Date(s): 1830-05-04
Abstract

In English.

William Wirt letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 830602
Mss 830602
Date(s): 1830-11-02
Abstract

In English.

William Wirt letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 828253
Mss 828253
Date(s): 1828-04-03
Abstract

In English.

William Wirt letter to Daniel Webster

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 828219.1
Webster Mss 828219.1
Date(s): 1828-03-19
Content Description

United States Attorney General William Wirt writes to Daniel Webster concerning an unidentified court case that Gov. Ninian Edwards of Illinois lost. Wirt wants Webster's personal opinion of the case to be relayed to Edwards.