American judge (1752–1819)
William Lewis (January 22, 1752 – August 16, 1819) was a United States Attorney for the District of Pennsylvania and a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Pennsylvania.
Education and career
Born on January 22, 1752, in Edgemont, Province of Pennsylvania, British America,[1] Lewis read law in 1773.[1] He entered private practice in Philadelphia, Province of Pennsylvania (State of Pennsylvania, United States from July 4, 1776) from 1773 to 1787.[1] He was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1787 to 1789.[1] He was the United States Attorney for the District of Pennsylvania from 1789 to 1791.[1]
Anti-slavery legislation
Lewis was involved in the drafting and passage of An Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery in 1780.[2] This legislation was the first legal action towards the abolition of slavery in the United States of America.[2]
Federal judicial service
Lewis received a recess appointment from President George Washington on July 14, 1791, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Pennsylvania vacated by Judge Francis Hopkinson.[1] He was nominated to the same position by President Washington on October 31, 1791.[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on November 7, 1791, and received his commission the same day.[1] His service terminated on January 4, 1792, due to his resignation.[1]
Later career and death
Following his resignation from the federal bench, Lewis resumed private practice in Philadelphia from 1792 to 1817.[1] He died on August 16, 1819, in Philadelphia.[1]
Other accomplishments and residence
Lewis is also known for advising Alexander Hamilton on the first national bank and building the Historic Strawberry Mansion in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park in 1789.[3] At the time the house was known as Summerville.[3] Lewis died peacefully at Summerville, at the age of 68.[3] The house was converted into a historic house museum in 1931.[3]
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