Kent, James, 1763-1847

These maps were compiled over a period of years by Chancellor Kent, a well-known American jurist who was a dominant state supreme court judge in New York throughout the Federalist era. The extensive manuscript annotations are in his hand. These notes are often dated, some as early as the 1820s and others as late as 1840. It is unclear what prompted Kent to assemble this volume, but a possible reason was his interest in missionary activities, often referred to in the notes, which display an intimate knowledge of the literature of Pacific exploration.

From the description of Pacific maps taken from various published sources including Cook, Vancouver, etc. and including maps of Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, and other Pacific islands, 1820-1840. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122444995

Kent graduated from Yale in 1781 and was admitted to the New York Bar in 1785. He practiced law in Poughkeepsie (1785-1793) and in New York City from 1793. He served as Judge of the New York Supreme Court (1798-1814) and as Chancellor of the New York Court of Chancery (1814-1823.)

From the description of Letters, 1833-1843. (Harvard Law School Library). WorldCat record id: 234339379

Jurist, Chancellor of New York Court of Chancery, first Professor of Law at Columbia College.

From the description of [Letter] 1836 October 25, New York to Charles S. Henry, Savannah, Georgia [manuscript] / James Kent. 1836. (Columbia University Law School, Diamond Law Library). WorldCat record id: 183929106

American jurist.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Poughkeepsie?, to Richard Varick in New York, 1786 Feb. 16. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270489469

From the description of Autograph letter signed : New York, N.Y., to J. Fenimore Cooper, 1834 Mar. 25. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270489071

Jurist and legal commentator.

From the description of James Kent papers, 1779-1854 (bulk 1798-1847). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71254705

James Kent was a justice of the New York Supreme Court and Chancellor of New York 1814-1823.

Samuel Jones was Chancellor of New York 1826-1828 and Chief Justice of the New York City Superior Court 1828-1847.

From the description of James Kent autograph notes signed to Samuel Jones. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 780251799

Jurist and legal commentator. Kent began his legal career in 1781 as a practicing attorney in Poughkeepsie. In 1793, he moved his practice to New York City where he also assumed the appointment as the first professor of law at Columbia College. He remained there until 1798, when then Governor John Jay appointed Kent to a judgeship on the New York State Supreme Court. He became chief justice of the court in 1804 and Chancellor of the New York State Court of Chancery.

Forced to retire as Chancellor in 1824, he accepted reappointment to the law professorship at Columbia. Here, he devoted much time to writing the Commentaries on American Law which became one of the foremost legal treatices.

Kent was also involved in politics, having served three terms in the New York State Assembly during the 1790's. His affiliation was at first with the Federalist Party, and after its demise he joined the Whig Party.

From the description of Collection, 1785-1845. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122618045

Biographical Note

• 1763, July 31: Born, southeastern New York (now Putnam County)
• 1781: B.A., Yale University, New Haven, Conn.
• 1781 - 1784 : Apprenticed to law office of Egbert Benson, New York attorney general, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
• 1784: M.A., Yale University, New Haven, Conn.
• 1785: Admitted to New York bar Married Elizabeth Bailey
• 1785 - 1793 : Practiced law in partnership with Gilbert Livingston, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
• 1786: Commissioned paymaster in the New York state militia
• 1790 - 1794 : Member, New York assembly
• 1794 - 1798 : Professor of law, Columbia University, New York, N.Y.
• 1796 - 1798 : Member, New York assembly
• 1797 - 1798 : Recorder, New York, N.Y.
• 1798: Appointed to New York supreme court
• 1799 - 1823 : Resided in Albany, N.Y.
• 1804: Appointed chief justice, New York supreme court
• 1814: Appointed chancellor, New York court of chancery
• 1823: Forced by provision in state constitution to retire as chancellor of New York court of chancery
• 1824 - 1826 : Professor of law, Columbia University, New York, N.Y.
• 1828: President, New-York Historical Society
• 1847, Dec. 12: Died, New York, N.Y.

From the guide to the James Kent Papers, 1779-1854, (bulk 1798-1847), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)