Wirt, William, 1772-1834
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 9 Collections and/or Records:
William Wirt letter to Daniel Webster
Webster Mss 828219.1
Collection
Identifier: Mss 828219.1
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.