Robert Trimble was born in 1777, probably in Virginia. His family moved to Clark County, Kentucky, during his childhood. After attending school and briefly working as a teacher, Trimble read law with George Nicholas and James Brown. He was admitted to the Bourbon County bar in 1800. Trimble interrupted his law practice for a term in the general assembly in 1802 and a brief stint as a judge with the Kentucky Court of Appeals. He became a district attorney in 1813. Four years later, President James Madison named him to the federal bench. In 1826 John Quincy Adams named Trimble to the U.S. Supreme Court. He served only two years on the high court before dying in 1828.
From the description of Robert Trimble letter, 1818 July 18. (Kentucky Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 43033833