The Ukrainian Embassy in D.C. is Located in William Marbury's Home

In 1992, the Embassy of Ukraine moved to the Forrest-Marbury House.

In 1992, the Embassy of Ukraine moved to the Forrest-Marbury House in Georgetown. That building was built circa 1788. Uriah Forrest, an early mayor of Georgetown, resided there. Around 1800, William Marbury moved into the house. Yes, the same William Marbury who didn't get his commission. Maybe John Marshall couldn't make his way out to Georgetown in time! Marbury lived in his house during the Marbury v. Madison litigation.

If you watch some of the media coverage of the Ukrainian embassy, you can see the commemorative plaque.

I posted this photo on my blog in 2014.

It reads:

From 1800 to 1835, residence of the William Marbury of the legal case Marbury v.Madison. In 1803, through this case, the United States Supreme Court established its right to judicial review of congressional action

The second sentence is not accurate, but I appreciate the recognition of Marbury's role.

 

Comments

[Cal Cetín]

So, what did Marbury do when he couldn't get his commission?

Got a talk show or podcast like anyone else, I guess.

[Dan Schiavetta]

Marbury got to give on-street razzies to Marshall for 32 years! “Ha! I’m making much more as a banker now!!”

[Cal Cetín]

Hmmm..."Marbury was a banker, large landowner and member of a prominent Maryland family."

https://www.willistonherald.com/opinion/marbury-v-madison-the-greatest-of-landmark-decisions/article_aa9910d8-5837-11ec-b565-a38e09737776.html

I wonder if that had anything to do with Adams wanting him to be a JP?

[Dan Schiavetta]

Adams was retiring from politics, was going home to far-away Massachusetts, and by then was pretty well set as far as money. If anything, it was Jefferson who needed big-money favors.

[Cal Cetín]

Just to clarify, I don't mean Adams was getting a bribe, but that he was appointing rich landowners to JP positions, like in Olde England.

Those are the guys who become Justices of the Peace - because they're weighty men in their community.

No, of course Adams would no more take a bribe than he would run naked down the street singing Yankee Doodle.

[Dilan Esper]

This is a fun fact.

[Stephen Lathrop]

Interesting, and surprising insofar as surprise is typically a feature of coincidence. For a notably more-surprising building plaque, go to Portsmouth, NH. There, on the side of an ordinary-looking brick building you can find a plaque announcing that it is the building in which the treaty ending the Russo-Japanese War was signed.