Robertson, George, 1790-1874

Robertson was a native of Mercer County. He attended Transylvania University for a year before reading law in the office of his brother-in-law, Samuel McKee, an U.S. Congressman. Robertson began the practice of law in Lancaster in 1809. He won election to Congress for three successive terms, beginning in 1817. In 1829 he became Chief Justice of the Kentucky Court of Appeals. After fifteen years in the post, Robertson resigned to practice law privately in Lexington and teach law at Transylvania. He was a friend of Abraham Lincoln and Lincoln's father-in-law, Robert S. Todd, and also served as Lincoln's attorney at one time. Robertson was re-elected as Chief Justice in August, 1864 during rising unrest over the imposition and administration of martial law in Kentucky. He held the post for seven more years, until 1871, when he retired due to ill health. He died three years later.

Biographical note: George Robertson was a native of Mercer County, Kentucky. He attended Transylvania University for a year before reading law in the office of his brother-in-law, Samuel McKee, a United States Congressman. Robertson began the practice of law in Lancaster, Kentucky in 1809. He won election to Congress for three successive terms, beginning in 1817. In 1829 he became chief justice of the Kentucky Court of Appeals. After fifteen years in the post, Robertson resigned to practice law in Lexington and teach law at Transylvania University.

He was a friend of Abraham Lincoln and Lincoln's father-in-law, Robert S. Todd. He served as Lincoln's attorney at one time. Robertson was reelected as chief justice in August 1864 during rising unrest over the imposition and administration of martial law in Kentucky. He held the post for seven more years, until 1871, when he retired due to ill health. He died three years later.