Justice James Iredell joined the U.S. Supreme Court on May 12, 1790 as one of its inaugural six Justices. Iredell was born on October 5, 1751 in southern England, but he immigrated to the American colonies in the late 1760s. He worked in customs at Edenton, North Carolina, while also studying law. Iredell soon was admitted to the bar and entered private practice. As the American Revolution began, he staunchly advocated for independence.
Iredell helped organize the North Carolina state courts during this period, and he became a judge in a state court in 1778. From 1779 to 1781, he served as Attorney General for North Carolina. Although Iredell did not attend the Constitutional Convention in 1787, he argued for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in North Carolina. (However, North Carolina did not ratify the founding document until November 1789, over a year after it officially took effect.)
On February 8, 1790, President George Washington nominated Iredell to the U.S. Supreme Court. He took the seat originally intended for Robert Harrison, who had b
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James Iredell
Prior offices
Supreme Court of the United States
James Iredell was an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. He joined the court in 1790 following a nomination from George Washington. Iredell served on the Supreme Court until his death on October 20, 1799. Prior to joining the court, he was a private practice attorney in North Carolina.[1]
Iredell was one of eight justices nominated to the Supreme Court by President Washington. He served during The Jay Court, The Rutledge Court and The Ellsworth Court.[2]
Education
Iredell received his legal training by reading law.[1]
Professional career
1779-1781: North Carolina Attorney General
1777: Judge, Superior Court of North Carolina
1776: Member, Commission to draft and revise the laws of North Carolina
1774-1776: Collector of customs, Port Roanoke, North Carolina
1773-1790: Attorney in private practice, Edenton, North Carolina
1768-1774: Comptroller of customs, Edenton, North Carolina
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Judicial nominations and appointments •
James Iredell
US Supreme Court justice from 1790 to 1799
This article is about the Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. For his son, the U.S. Senator, see James Iredell Jr.
James Iredell
In office May 12, 1790 – October 20, 1799[1]
Nominated by
George Washington
Preceded by
Seat established
Succeeded by
Alfred Moore
In office July 8, 1779 – April 22, 1782
Governor
Richard Caswell Abner Nash Thomas Burke
Preceded by
Waightstill Avery
Succeeded by
Alfred Moore
Born
(1751-10-05)October 5, 1751 Lewes, Great Britain(now United Kingdom)
Died
October 20, 1799(1799-10-20) (aged 48) Edenton, North Carolina, U.S.
Political party
Federalist
James Iredell (October 5, 1751 – October 20, 1799) was one of the first justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. He was appointed by PresidentGeorge Washington and served from 1790 until his death in 1799. His son, James Iredell Jr., was a governor of North Carolina.