Thomas H. Fitnam Explained

Thomas Howard Fitnam (August 19, 1854  - April 5, 1919) was an American attorney who was one of the first law clerks to the justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, serving Chief Justice Melville Fuller from 1888 to 1889.^{[1] [2]}

In 1854, Fitnam was born in Washington, D.C., to Rosella Dant and Thomas Fitnam, a harness maker. As a young man, Fitnam Jr. worked as a plasterer and printer. In June 1884, at age 30 Fitnam graduated from Georgetown University with a LL.B., where he won a prize for his essay.^{[3] [4]} He continued his post-graduate studies at Georgetown, receiving his LL.M. in 1885.^{[5] [6]} In 1885, he worked as a pressman for the United States Government Printing Office. After clerking for the Supreme Court, Fitnam engaged in private practice and was an examiner and trustee in the Equity Court in Washington, D.C.^{[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]}

Fitnam died in Washington, D.C., on April 5, 1919.

See also

• List of law clerks of the Supreme Court of the United States (Chief Justice)
• Clarence M. York
• Everett Riley York
  • James S. Harlan Thomas A. Russell
• Frederick Emmons Chapin

Notes and References

1. Peppers. Todd C.. The Supreme Court and the Curse of the Gypsy. Green Bag 2d. Winter 2010. 13. 173–186. September 27, 2017.
2. Book: Peppers. Todd C.. Courtiers of the Marble Palace: The Rise and Influence of the Supreme Court Law Clerk. 2006. Stanford University Press. Stanford, CA. 0804753822. 49. September 27, 2017.
3. News: Georgetown University, Thirteenth Annual Commencement of the Law Department. September 27, 2017. The Evening Critic (Washington, D.C.). Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. June 3, 1884. 2.
4. News: Limbs of the Law, Commencement of the Law Department of Georgetown University. September 26, 2017. National Republican. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. June 3, 1884. 5.
5. Book: A Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Georgetown University. 1885. Georgetown University. Washington, D.C.. 68. September 27, 2017.
6. Book: Shea. John Gilmary. Memorial of the First Century of Georgetown College, D. C.: Comprising a History of Georgetown University, Part 3. 1891. Georgetown University. Washington, D.C.. 463. September 27, 2017.
7. News: The Courts, Equity Court. September 27, 2017. Evening star. (Washington, D.C.). Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. December 15, 1888. 8.
8. News: The Courts, Equity Court-Judge Hagner. November 26, 2017. Evening star (Washington, D.C.). Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. 25 July 1890. 8.
9. News: The Courts, Equity Court No. 2. September 27, 2017. Evening star. (Washington, D.C.). Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. May 14, 1903. 3.
10. News: The Court Record, District Supreme Court, Equity Court No. 2. September 27, 2017. Evening Star (Washington, D.C.). Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. February 7, 1907. 3.
11. News: The Court Record, District Supreme Court, Equity Court No. 1. September 27, 2017. Evening Star (Washington, D.C.). Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. July 23, 1908. 3.
12. News: District Supreme Court, Equity Court No. 1. September 27, 2017. Evening Star (Washington, D.C.). Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. December 6, 1912. 13.