Campbell, John Archibald

Campbell, John Archibald

(born June 24, 1811, Washington, Ga., U.S.—died March 12, 1889, Baltimore, Md.) U.S. jurist. After being admitted to the bar at age 18, he moved to Alabama, where he gained a large private practice and served in the state legislature. Appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States in 1853, he became known as a strict constructionist; his tenure was notable for his concurrence in the Dred Scott decision. Although he opposed secession as imprudent, he resigned from the Supreme Court in 1861 and cast his lot with the South in the American Civil War, serving as assistant secretary of war for the Confederacy. After the South's surrender he was imprisoned for four months on false charges. Upon his release he moved to New Orleans, where he established a law practice.

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Campbell, John Archibald (1811–89) Supreme Court justice; born near Washington, Ga. An experienced lawyer, he was appointed by President Millard Fillmore to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1853. Known for his independence and strict interpretation of the Constitution, he was attacked by abolitionists for supporting the Dred Scott decision. He opposed secession but when Georgia seceded he resigned from the court (1861) and served as assistant secretary of war for the Confederacy (1862–65). After the war he took up private practice in New Orleans.