Jacob Rush (1746/47 – January 5 1820) was an American jurist who served on several high‑level courts in Pennsylvania during the early years of the United States. He was the brother of Dr. Benjamin Rush, a prominent physician and signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Early life and education
Jacob Rush was born near Philadelphia, possibly in Byberry Township, in December 1746 or January 1747. He graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1765 and subsequently entered the legal profession in Philadelphia.[^1][^2]
Legal career
Rush built a reputation as a lawyer in Philadelphia before being appointed to the bench. His judicial appointments included:
- Judge of the High Court of Errors and Appeals of Pennsylvania (1784–1806).
- Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania (date prior to 1784).
- President of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia (1806–1820).
In 1779, during a public controversy between Joseph Reed and John Dickinson concerning the reputation of Benedict Arnold, Judge Rush defended Arnold against Reed’s accusations, aligning with Dickinson’s perspective.[^1][^2] Princeton University conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL.D. in 1804.[^1]
Publications
Rush authored several works on moral, religious, and legal subjects, including:
- Resolve in Committee Chamber 6 Dec., 1774 (Philadelphia, 1774).
- Charges on Moral and Religious Subjects (1803).
- Character of Christ (1806).
- Christian Baptism (1819).
His daughter, Rebecca Rush, published the novel Kelroy in Philadelphia in 1812.[^1][^2]
Personal life and death
Jacob Rush spent most of his professional life in Philadelphia. He died there on January 5 1820 at the age of approximately 73.[^1][^2]
References
- Wilson, J. G.; Fiske, J. (eds.). Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography, Vol. 5. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1900, p. 350.
- White, James Terry (ed.). The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Vol. 5. New York: James T. White & Co., 1894, p. 150.
External links
- Ockerbloom, John Mark (ed.). “Rush, Jacob, 1747‑1820”. The Online Books Page. Retrieved 2022‑08‑29.
Authority control identifiers omitted for brevity.