Joseph Story

US Supreme Court justice from 1812 to 1845

Born: September 18, 1779  ·  Died: September 10, 1845

Famous Persons
Joseph Story
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Overview

Legacy

He is most remembered for his opinions in Martin v.

Legacy

The Amistad, and especially for his Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, first published in 1833.

Who was Joseph Story?

Joseph Story (September 18, 1779 – September 10, 1845) was an American lawyer, jurist, and politician who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1812 to 1845. Dominating the field in the 19th century, this work is a cornerstone of early American jurisprudence. It is the second comprehensive treatise on the provisions of the U.S. Constitution and remains a critical source of historical information about the forming of the American republic and the early struggles to define its law. Story opposed Jacksonian democracy, saying it was "oppression" of property rights by republican governments when popular majorities began in the 1830s to restrict and erode the property rights of the minority of rich men.

Portrait of Story by George Peter Alexander Healy
Portrait of Story by George Peter Alexander Healy
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Historical significance

He is most remembered for his opinions in Martin v. Hunter's Lessee and United States v. The Amistad, and especially for his Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, first published in 1833.

Bust of Joseph Story, sculpted by his son William Wetmore Story, currently on display at the United States Supreme Court building
Bust of Joseph Story, sculpted by his son William Wetmore Story, currently on display at the United States Supreme Court building
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Wikipedia source
Cite this page
MLA

“Joseph Story.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/joseph-story/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

APA

Joseph Story. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/joseph-story/

Chicago

“Joseph Story.” thisDay. Accessed October 19, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/joseph-story/.

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