(b. Stony Creek, Pa., 10 Jan. 1810; d. York, Pa., 19 Aug. 1883), U.S. attorney general, unconfirmed nominee to the Supreme Court, and Supreme Court reporter. Black studied law with Chauncey Forward and was admitted to the bar on 3 December 1830. In 1842 he was appointed president judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Pennsylvania. In 1851 Black was elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and by lot was chosen chief justice. In 1854 he was reelected to the Supreme Court. His principal contribution on the bench lay in the construction of corporate charters.

In 1857 President James Buchanan appointed Black U.S. attorney general. While in that office Black prosecuted frauds associated with California land titles, causing the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse many district court decisions. Black consistently enforced federal laws relating to the slave trade and the return of fugitive slaves. He also helped establish the administration position on secession and enforcement of federal laws. Late in Buchanan's term Black served briefly as secretary of state. On 5 February 1861 Buchanan nominated Black to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court, but on 21 February the Senate rejected the nomination.

Between late 1861 and 1864 Black served as Supreme Court reporter and prepared the well‐respected Black's Reports (two volumes). He then resumed private practice, arguing against the federal government's violations of civil rights in Ex parte Milligan (1866) and Ex parte McCardle (1869). He also served as Samuel Tilden's counsel before the commission that investigated the 1876 presidential election.

See also Nominees, Rejection of; Reporters, Supreme Court.

— Elizabeth B. Monroe

The Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States. Copyright © 1992, 2005 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.