Robert William Wells (November 29, 1795 – September 22, 1864) was an American lawyer and jurist who served as judge of the
(1857–1864) and the
United States District Court for the District of Missouri
The following are former United States district courts, which ceased to exist because they were subdivided into smaller units. With the exception of California, each of these courts initially covered an entire U.S. state, and was subdivided as the ...
(1836–1857). He previously served as the 3rd
attorney general of Missouri
The Office of the Missouri Attorney General was created in 1806 when Missouri was part of the Louisiana Territory. Missouri's first Constitution in 1820 provided for an appointed attorney general, but since the 1865 Constitution, the Attorney Gen ...
from 1826 to 1836. Wells is credited with designing the
Missouri State Seal.
Early life and career
Born in
Winchester, Virginia
Winchester is the most north western independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is the county seat of Frederick County, although the two are separate jurisdictions. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Winchester wit ...
,
Robert William Wells
read law
Reading law was the method used in common law countries, particularly the United States, for people to prepare for and enter the legal profession before the advent of law schools. It consisted of an extended internship or apprenticeship under the ...
to enter the bar in 1820.
He was in private practice in
St. Charles, Missouri
Saint Charles (commonly abbreviated St. Charles) is a city in, and the county seat of, St. Charles County, Missouri, United States. The population was 65,794 at the 2010 census, making St. Charles the ninth-largest city in Missouri. Situated on t ...
from 1820 to 1821, and was a circuit attorney of the St. Charles Circuit from 1821 to 1822.
In 1822, he designed the
Missouri State Seal.
He was a member of the
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 37,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections ...
from 1823 to 1826.
He was the
attorney general of Missouri
The Office of the Missouri Attorney General was created in 1806 when Missouri was part of the Louisiana Territory. Missouri's first Constitution in 1820 provided for an appointed attorney general, but since the 1865 Constitution, the Attorney Gen ...
from 1826 to 1836.
Federal judicial service
Wells was nominated by President
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845) was an American lawyer, planter, general, and statesman who served as the seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837. Before being elected to the presidency, he gained fame as ...
on June 16, 1836, to a seat on the
United States District Court for the District of Missouri
The following are former United States district courts, which ceased to exist because they were subdivided into smaller units. With the exception of California, each of these courts initially covered an entire U.S. state, and was subdivided as the ...
vacated by Judge
James H. Peck.
He was confirmed by the
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States.
The composition and pow ...
on June 27, 1836, and received his commission the same day.
Wells was reassigned by
operation of law
The phrase "by operation of law" is a legal term that indicates that a right or liability has been created for a party, irrespective of the intent of that party, because it is dictated by existing legal principles. For example, if a person dies wi ...
to the
on March 3, 1857, to a new seat authorized by 11 Stat. 197.
His service terminated on September 22, 1864, due to his death in
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Bowling Green is a home rule-class city and the county seat of Warren County, Kentucky, United States. Founded by pioneers in 1798, Bowling Green was the provisional capital of Confederate Kentucky during the American Civil War. As of the 2 ...
.
See also
*
Great Seal of Missouri
The Great Seal of Missouri is used to authenticate certain documents issued by the Government of Missouri. The phrase is used both for the physical seal itself, which is kept by the secretary of state, and more generally for the design impressed u ...
*
List of attorneys general of Missouri
The individuals listed below have all served in the position of Missouri Attorney General.
List
;Parties
{, class=wikitable
!#
!Name
!Party
!Term
, -
, 1
, Edward Bates
, Democratic-Republican
, 1820–1821
, -
, 2
, Rufus Easton
, Democr ...
*
List of federal judges appointed by Andrew Jackson
References
External links
*
*
Robert W. Wells Papers, 1826-1863at
The State Historical Society of Missouri
The State Historical Society of Missouri, a private membership and state funded organization, is a comprehensive research facility located in Columbia, Missouri, specializing in the preservation and study of Missouri's cultural heritage. Estab ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wells, Robert William
1795 births
1864 deaths
19th-century American judges
Burials in Missouri
Coats of arms designers
Judges of the United States District Court for the District of Missouri
Judges of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Members of the Missouri House of Representatives
Missouri Attorneys General
Politicians from Winchester, Virginia
United States federal judges admitted to the practice of law by reading law
United States federal judges appointed by Andrew Jackson