Today in Supreme Court History: September 15, 1857

9/15/1857: Chief Justice William Howard Taft's birthday.

Chief Justice William Howard Taft

Comments

[JoeFromtheBronx]

Yesterday was Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's birthday.

Taft was the only person who was both a president and justice though other justices wanted to be president.

[F.D. Wolf]

The South Carolina Constitution of 1776 used the title "President" for the chief executive of the state. The constitution of 1778 retained the title "president" but was amended in 1779 to change it to "governor". The first President of South Carolina elected in 1776 was future U.S. Supreme Court Justice (and Chief Justice) John Rutledge. He was succeeded in the election of 1778 by Rawlins Lowndes, and they are the only two individuals to have officially borne the title of President of South Carlina. Rutledge would again be elected in 1779, this time officially as Governor of South Carolina.

[F.D. Wolf]

Between 1774 and 1788, before the adoption of our current Constitution, fourteen men served as President of the United States in Congress Assembled, the sixth being future Chief Justice John Jay from December 1778 to September 1779. A largely ceremonial position, this was an elected member of Congress chosen by his fellow members to preside over Congress. Despite the official title, they were more commonly and informally referred to as the "president of Congress."

[JoeFromtheBronx]

Yes, the word "president" can be used in various ways.

My usage regarded Art. II presidents, but the other usages are interesting. You sometimes have people point out that the "first president" wasn't George Washington.

FYI, when I say "vice president," I also mean the vice president of the United States from John Adams on. I was the vice president of my elementary school class. Doesn't count. 😉