Walworth, Reuben Hyde

Walworth, Reuben Hyde (b. Bozrah, Conn., 26 Oct. 1788; d. Saratoga Springs, N.Y., 27 Nov. 1867), unconfirmed nominee to the Supreme Court. Walworth studied law with John Russell of Troy, New York, and was admitted to the bar in 1809. In 1817 he was appointed circuit judge of the Supreme Court for the Fourth District of New York; he concurrently served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1821 to 1823.

In 1828 Walworth was appointed chancellor of New York state, where he contributed significantly to equity jurisprudence, producing important decisions on evidence, pleading, injunctions and arbitration. On 13 March 1844 President John Tyler nominated Walworth to the Supreme Court to fill the vacancy on the Second Circuit. Walworth's nomination suffered from Tyler's lack of support from either Whigs or Democrats. The Senate postponed action on 15 January 1844, and on 17 June 1844 Tyler withdrew Walworth's name and proposed instead John C. Spencer. Later Tyler removed Spencer's name and resubmitted Walworth, who again failed to be confirmed.

Walworth retired as chancellor in 1848, but in 1850 was asked by the Supreme Court to serve as special master in Pennsylvania v. Wheeling and Belmont Bridge Company (1852). The Court published his extensive report in 1851.

See also Nominees, Rejection of.

Elizabeth B. Monroe