James Dunlop (judge)

James Dunlop
Chief Judge of the United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
In office November 27, 1855 – March 3, 1863
Appointed by	Franklin Pierce
Preceded by	William Cranch
Succeeded by	Seat abolished
Judge of the United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
In office October 3, 1845 – November 27, 1855
Appointed by	James K. Polk
Preceded by	Buckner Thruston
Succeeded by	William Matthew Merrick
Personal details
Born	James Dunlop (1793-03-28)March 28, 1793 Georgetown, Maryland
Died	May 6, 1872(1872-05-06) (aged 79) Georgetown, D.C.
Education	Princeton University (A.B.) read law

James Dunlop (March 28, 1793 – May 6, 1872) was a United States Circuit Judge and later Chief United States Circuit Judge of the United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia.

Education and career

Dunlop was born in Georgetown, which at that time was in that portion of the State of Maryland ceded to the federal government pursuant to the Residence Act of 1790 but which remained under the jurisdiction of Maryland until the enactment of the District of Columbia Organic Act of 1801. He received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1811 from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) and read law. He was Secretary of the Corporation of Georgetown, D.C. until 1838. He was a Judge of the Criminal Court of the District of Columbia from 1838 to 1845.

Federal judicial service

Dunlop received a recess appointment from President James K. Polk on October 3, 1845, to a Judge seat on the United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia vacated by Judge Buckner Thruston. He was nominated to the same position by President Polk on December 23, 1845. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 3, 1846, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on November 27, 1855, due to his elevation to be Chief Judge of the same court.

Dunlop received a recess appointment from President Franklin Pierce on November 27, 1855, to the Chief Judge seat on the United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia vacated by Chief Judge William Cranch. He was nominated to the same position by President Pierce on December 3, 1855. He was confirmed by the Senate on December 7, 1855, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on March 3, 1863, due to abolition of the court, pursuant to 12 Stat. 762. The court was superseded by the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia (now the United States District Court for the District of Columbia).

Later career and death

Following his departure from the federal bench, Dunlop resumed private practice in Georgetown, D.C. from 1863 to 1872. He died in Georgetown on May 6, 1872.

Sources

• James Dunlop at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.

Further reading

• James Dunlop, O Say Can You See: Early Washington, D.C., Law & Family (accessed November 4, 2015) This person page networks the involvement of James Dunlop in the legal records and proceedings of the Circuit Court for the District of Columbia between 1800 and 1862.