United States Supreme Court judge. Franklin’s colleague on the committee of secret correspondence.

Established himself as a lawyer in Annapolis. Elected to the Maryland provincial congress (1762). Delegate to the First Continental Congress (1774). Served on the Correspondence Committee of the Second Continental Congress (1775-77). Governor of Maryland (1777-79).

Appointed to the United States Supreme Court (1791). Retired from public life due to failing health (1793).

Born in Calvert County, Maryland. Married in 1766 to Ann Jennings.