The Supremest Supreme

Last issue, we saw how the Supreme Court got started. Today, we'll bang the gavel with the supremest Supreme of all--John Marshall--and review the case he used to assert the Court's right to rule on constitutional questions: Marbury v. Madison.

John Marshall was, in many ways, the prototypical early American figure, right down to the Virginia log cabin where he was born in 1755. His mother was related to many of Virginia's oldest families, but his father, Thomas Marshall, was a man of middling means. Lack of money didn't mean lack of ambition, though, and Tom Marshall rose in local society--and gave his son a classical education so he could do the same.

When the American Revolution broke out, Marshall joined the Continental Army. He served under George Washington for three years, including wintering with him at Valley Forge--an experience that changed the young patriot forever. He determined to spend the rest of his career fighting on behalf of the American nation as it took shape.

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Now, Learn Why Marbury Matters

Most books on key Supreme Court cases begin with Marshall's decision in Marbury v. Madison. Here's why.