U.S. Senator. At the age of 16, he enrolled at Yale University, graduated with honors in 1783 and then earned a Master’s degree. After leaving Yale, he studied law under the firm of Charles Chauncey of New Haven, was admitted to the bar in 1786 and opened a law practice. He also was an instructor and a founder of the Yale University Law School. He was a member of the Connecticut State House of Representatives (1791-96, 1805), served on the Connecticut State council (1809-13) and Attorney for New Haven County (1811-13). In 1813, he was elected as a Federalist to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Chauncey Goodrich, serving until 1819. An unsuccessful candidate for reelection, he resumed the practice of law and was an associate instructor at the New Haven Law School. He was chief judge of the Connecticut State Supreme Court (1826-1832) and Mayor of New Haven, (1828-29). After retiring from public service, he was a professor of law at Yale College, until 1848.

U.S. Senator. At the age of 16, he enrolled at Yale University, graduated with honors in 1783 and then earned a Master’s degree. After leaving Yale, he studied law under the firm of Charles Chauncey of New Haven, was admitted to the bar in 1786 and opened a law practice. He also was an instructor and a founder of the Yale University Law School. He was a member of the Connecticut State House of Representatives (1791-96, 1805), served on the Connecticut State council (1809-13) and Attorney for New Haven County (1811-13). In 1813, he was elected as a Federalist to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Chauncey Goodrich, serving until 1819. An unsuccessful candidate for reelection, he resumed the practice of law and was an associate instructor at the New Haven Law School. He was chief judge of the Connecticut State Supreme Court (1826-1832) and Mayor of New Haven, (1828-29). After retiring from public service, he was a professor of law at Yale College, until 1848.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith