Nathaniel Holmes (judge)

Nathaniel Holmes (1815-1901) was an American jurist, author, and scholar. He served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri from 1865 to 1872.

Born in Peterboro, New York, Holmes graduated from Hamilton College and was admitted to the bar in 1838. He practiced law in New York before moving to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1839. He quickly established himself as a prominent lawyer and was involved in several significant cases.

During the American Civil War, Holmes was a strong Unionist. After the war, he was appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court to fill a vacancy. He was subsequently elected to a full term. As a judge, he was known for his legal scholarship and his progressive views on issues such as women's suffrage.

Following his tenure on the Supreme Court, Holmes resumed his private law practice in St. Louis. He also devoted himself to writing and scholarly pursuits. He authored several books, including "The Authorship of Shakespeare" (1866), in which he argued that Francis Bacon was the true author of Shakespeare's works, a theory that continues to be debated. He also wrote extensively on legal and historical topics.

Nathaniel Holmes was a significant figure in Missouri legal history, remembered both for his judicial service and his contributions to legal and literary scholarship.