Today in Supreme Court History: April 21, 1800

4/21/1800: Justice Alfred Moore takes judicial oath.

Justice Alfred Moore

Comments

[Syd Henderson]

My first reaction was "Who?" so I looked him up: "Moore is noted for having written just one opinion for the Court during his term of service: Bas v. Tingy, a minor case of maritime law. Although a member of the Court for nearly four years, poor health kept Moore from the Court's business during much of his tenure. In particular he did not participate in Marbury v. Madison, a landmark case decided while he was on the Court. Moore was one of the least effective justices in the history of the Court, his career having "made scarcely a ripple in American judicial history." [Wikipedia.]

So my first reaction was correct.

[Syd Henderson]

Although he does look good in judicial robes.

[Dan Schiavetta]

His IQ was 368. As can be seen, his cranium was so big he could barely hold his head up.