George M. Gill

George M. Gill (1803-1887) was an American attorney, businessman, and politician who represented John Merryman in the famous habeas corpus case Ex parte Merryman (1861).[1][2]

Gill was born on February 15, 1803 in Baltimore, Maryland to John Gill. He graduated from St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1823. He practiced law in Baltimore County, Harford County and then in the city of Baltimore. He was a member of the Whig Party until he became a Democrat in the 1850s serving on the Baltimore City Council.[3]

Gill represented John Merryman in his habeas corpus case in 1861 after his detention due to Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpos. Later in life Gill served as a director of the Western Maryland Railroad and Northern Central Railroad and continued to practice law. He was a member of Franklin Street Presbyterian Church. Gill died in 1887 in Baltimore and was buried at Greenmont Cemetery.[4]

References

  1. ↑ http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/ex-parte-merryman/
  2. ↑ ARTHUR T. DOWNEY, The Conflict between the Chief Justice and the Chief Executive: Ex parte Merryman Journal of Supreme Court History Volume 31, Issue 3, pages 262–278, November 2006
  3. ↑ http://www.yankeeattic.com/1850-Baltimore-Maryland-MD-City-of-Baltimore-Trustee-s-Bond-1830/
  4. ↑ Maryland Archives http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc3500/sc3520/013100/013144/html/13144bio.html
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