William Cushing
William Cushing | |
|---|---|
| Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States | |
| In office February 2, 1790 – September 13, 1810 | |
| Nominated by | George Washington |
| Preceded by | Seat established |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Story |
| Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court | |
| In office 1777–1789 | |
| Preceded by | Peter Oliver John Adams (appointed, but never sat) |
| Succeeded by | Nathaniel Peaslee Sargent |
| Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court of Judicature | |
| In office 1772–1777 | |
| Preceded by | Peter Oliver |
| Succeeded by | David Sewall |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 1, 1732 Scituate, Massachusetts Bay |
| Died | September 13, 1810 (aged 78) Scituate, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Education | Harvard College (BA) |
| Signature | |
William Cushing (March 1, 1732 – September 13, 1810) was an American lawyer who was one of the original five associate justices of the United States Supreme Court; confirmed by the United States Senate on September 26, 1789, he served until his death. His Supreme Court tenure of 20 years and 11 months was the longest among the Court's inaugural members. In January 1796, he was nominated by President George Washington to become the Court's Chief Justice; though confirmed, he declined the appointment. He was the last judge in the United States to wear a full wig as part of his court dress.