An Audience
With Judge Henry St. George Tucker
(December 29, 1780 - August 28, 1848)
Lawyer, Teacher, Poet, Essayist, Inventor, and Judge
A private tour with Judge Henry St. George Tucker, Sr., lawyer, Va. State Senator, congressman, Cavalry Colonel in the war of 1812, Superior Court Judge, owner and lecturer of Winchester Law School, author of the Commentaries on the Laws of Virginia (which annotated Black's Commentaries with developments in VA and Federal law and succeeded Black's as the leading reference work for lawyers in the United States from 1837-1875), President of the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia from 1830-1840 when it met in Lewisburg for 90 days each year, and Professor of Law at the University of Virginia. As and if requested, Judge Tucker will discuss or touch upon (he hesitates to call it a lecture, but does not oppose it!) any or all of the following topics: his background and life; the Revolutionary War (generally, but especially his father, St. George Tucker's involvement); the Court's work here in Lewisburg during his tenure; the 1834 Supreme Court of Virginia Law Library and Study Building (now being renovated by the Greenbrier Historical Society) which the Court utilized from 1834-1864; the evolution of the legal system under the United States Constitution from 1789 through 1840, including some of the most important early decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court; and the struggles, challenges, and contradictions presented by slavery during his lifetime. Judge Tucker is happy to travel to whatever venue is selected for this event and will stay as long as wished.