William Cranch - Circuit Judge and Supreme Court Reporter

Circuit Judge and Supreme Court Reporter

When land speculation bankrupted him, his uncle John Adams rescued him by appointing him to be Inspector of Public Buildings in 1800 and then in 1801 to be judge of the District of Columbia circuit court, where he served until his death. Cranch, like William Marbury, was one of the "Midnight Judges" appointed under the Judiciary Act of 1801 that led to the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison. The nomination was put forth on February 28, 1801, and Cranch was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 3, 1801, receiving his commission the same day.

On February 21, 1806, President Thomas Jefferson elevated Cranch to Chief Judge, that seat having been vacated by William Kilty. Cranch's elevation was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 24, 1806. In this role he swore in two Presidents of the United States, John Tyler and Millard Fillmore, each of whom assumed the presidency upon the death of his predecessor.

While serving as a Circuit judge, Cranch also served as the second reporter of the Supreme Court from 1801 to 1815. At the time, the reporter was an unofficial post and he used his own funds to produce the reports. Cranch took on the responsibility because of his respect for precedent. He was slow in producing his reports of cases and their accuracy was questioned.

During his tenure on the court, Cranch published a biography about Adams.