Lemuel Shaw
| Lemuel Shaw | |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice Shaw in 1856 | |
| 19th Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court | |
| In office August 30, 1830 – August 21, 1860 | |
| Appointed by | Levi Lincoln Jr. | 
| Preceded by | Isaac Parker | 
| Succeeded by | George Tyler Bigelow | 
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 9, 1781 West Barnstable, Province of Massachusetts Bay | 
| Died | March 30, 1861 (aged 80) Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America | 
| Political party | Federalist Whig | 
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Knapp (m. 1818–22, her death) Hope Savage (m. 1827–61, his death) | 
| Alma mater | Harvard College | 
| Signature | |
Lemuel Shaw (January 9, 1781 – March 30, 1861) was an American jurist who served as chief justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (1830–1860). Prior to his appointment he also served for several years in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and as a state senator. In 1847, Shaw became the father-in-law of author Herman Melville. He ruled on prominent cases involving slavery, segregation, and religion.