Rash's Surname Index


Notes for William RAWLE

He was educated at the Friends' Academy in Philadelphia. While his father had died when he was just over 2 years old, upon the evacuation of Philadelphia by the British, he accompanied his step-father, Samuel Shoemaker, to New York, at his mother's request, and there began the study of law under Attorney-General Kempe.

Seeking greater advantages, and to escape the din of Toryism, with which he was not in accord, he sailed for England on June 15, 1781, and in August was admitted to the Middle Temple, where he completed his legal studies. After traveling on the Continent, he returned to Philadelphia in January, 1783, and was admitted to the bar on Sept 15th. He soon gained the regard of his fellow-citizens.

In 1786 he was elected a Member of the American Philosophical Society, and also Secretary of the Library Company. He held the latter office until 1792, when he became a director, serving as such until 1798, and subsequently from 1821 to 1825. In 1787 he joined "The Society for Political Inquiries," just forming, which met weekly at Benjamin Franklin's house. In 1789 he was chosen a member of the General Assembly of the State, notwithstanding that he had declined the nomination and had published his refusal to serve. The importunities of his friends induced him to take his seat. He was a decided federalist and a personal friend as well as an admirer of Washington.

In 1791 he was appointed United States Attorney for the District of Pennsylvania, holding the office until 1800, and in 1792 declining the judgeship of the United States District Court. In 1792 he became attorney and counsel for the Bank of the United States. He was for many years a Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania. At the incorporation of the Law Academy of Philadelphia, in 1821, he was chosen its vice-president. In 1822 he was made Chancellor of the "Associated Members of the Bar of Philadelphia," and upon its union, in 1827, with "The Law Library Company of Philadelphia" (of which he was also a member), under the name of "The Law Association of Philadelphia," he was elected Chancellor of the new institution, and held the office until his death. He was one of the founders of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, organized in 1824, and was chosen its first president. He twice declined the position of president judge of the District Court of Philadelphia County.

In 1830 he was appointed, with Thomas I. Wharton and Hon. Joel Jones, to revise the Civil Code of Pennsylvania, and was the principal author of the reports of the Commission, the valuable results of whose labors are embodied in statutes still remaining in force. He was awarded the Honorary LL.D by both Princeton, 1827 and Dartmouth, 1828.
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