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Alfred Moore

Alfred Moore

Supreme Court of the United States

Born 1755 in New Hanover County, NC

Died 1810 in Bladen County, NC

FJC ID: 1673

Alfred Moore (May 21, 1755 – October 15, 1810) was an American judge, lawyer, planter and military officer who became an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Moore Square, a park located in the Moore Square Historic District in Raleigh, North Carolina, was named in his honor, as was Moore County, North Carolina. He was also a founder and trustee of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Moore is noted for having written just one opinion for the Court during his term of service: Bas v. Tingy, a minor case of maritime law. Although a member of the Court for nearly four years, poor health kept Moore from the Court's business during much of his tenure. In particular he did not participate in Marbury v. Madison, a landmark case decided while he was on the Court. Moore was one of the least effective justices in the history of the Court, his career having "made scarcely a ripple in American judicial history."

Gender
Male
Race
White

Prior employment

  1. Private practice, Brunswick, North Carolina
    1782–1798
  2. North Carolina Superior Court
    Judge · 1798
  3. North Carolina House of Commons
    Member · 1792
  4. State of North Carolina
    Attorney general · 1782–1791
  5. North Carolina Militia colonel
    1777–1782
  6. North Carolina
    State senator · 1782
  7. First North Carolina Regiment
    Continental Army officer · 1775–1777

Appointments

  1. Supreme Court of the United States
    1799–1804 · Appointed by John Adams (Federalist)
    Term ended: Resignation

Education

  1. Read law
    1775