Charles Fraser MacLean (November 21, 1841 – March 20, 1924) [1] was an American jurist.
Born in New Hartford, New York, he began attending Yale University as a junior in 1862. He graduated in 1864 and was a member of Skull and Bones. [1] In 1866, he was the first person to be awarded a PhD in philosophy from an American institution. [2] His dissertation was A Critique of John Stuart Mill's Examination of Hamilton's Philosophy. [3] In 1869 he earned his JUD at the University of Berlin. [1] His dissertation was De Jure Emigrandi. [4]
During the Franco-Prussian War, MacLean was a war correspondent for the New York World. [1] [5] [6] He accompanied U.S. military observer General Philip Sheridan and acted as his interpreter. He was one of the first non-combatants to enter Paris following the surrender of the French [1] [5] and witnessed the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. [1] He recounted the Battle of Sedan and the capture of Napoleon III in his "The Surrender of an Emperor", published in The Second Book of the Authors Club: Liber Scriptorum (1921). [7] He also interviewed Otto von Bismarck, [5] Patrice de Mac-Mahon, Duke of Magenta, Adolphe Thiers, and Léon Gambetta. [1]
After a brief stint in St. Petersburg for The Times, he returned to the US to practice law. He entered the law office of Samuel J. Tilden, [1] who was related to his mother, [8] and would practice law in New York City most of the rest of his life. [1] He lectured on law at Columbia University (1873–4) and New York University (1885–97). [1] He served on the Board of Police Commissioners variously as counsel, a member, and president and served in various other city office and boards. [1] He was elected to be a judge on the New York Supreme Court and served for fourteen years (1895–1909). [1]
In 1887, he married Marie Mott (1854?–1946), daughter of industrialist Jordan L. Mott. [1] [9]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "OBITUARY RECORD OF YALE GRADUATES 1923–1924" (PDF). Yale University. August 1, 1924. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
- ^ John R. Shook (2005). Dictionary of Modern American Philosophers. Continuum. p. ix. ISBN 978-1-84371-037-0. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
- ^ Doctors of Philosophy of Yale University: With the Titles of Their Dissertations, 1861–1915. Graduate School, Yale University. 1916. p. 186. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
- ^ MacLean, Charles Fraser (1 January 1869). De jure emigrandi dissertatio inauguralis quam ... publice defendet. Typis expressit Carolus Feicht – via Hathi Trust.
- ^ a b c "EX-JUSTICE MACLEAN DIES AT AGE OF 82: Had Been on Supreme Bench From 1889 to 1909 – Held Various City Offices". The New York Times. 21 Mar 1924. p. 19.
- ^ Busch, Moritz (1884). Bismarck in the Franco-German war, 1870–1871. C. Scribner's sons. ISBN 9780608360072. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
- ^ "CMU Libraries: Book: Liber scriptorum".
- ^ Anderton, Stephen B. (1921). "Memorial of Charles F. Maclean". Yearbook. New York County Lawyers' Association. pp. 240–41. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
- ^ "MRS. C.F. M'LEAN, JURIST'S WIDOW, 92: Former Marie Mott, Member of Noted Family, Dies—Owned City's Oldest Drug Store". The New York Times. 13 July 1946. p. 10.
- 1841 births
- 1924 deaths
- People from New Hartford, New York
- People of the Franco-Prussian War
- Yale University alumni
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- Columbia Law School faculty
- New York Supreme Court Justices
- American philosophy academics
- American male journalists
- Journalists from New York City
- New York University faculty
- Writers from New York City
- Members of Skull and Bones