Hiram Denio

Since I'm in the middle of discussing Judge Hiram Denio's opinion in Lemmon v. People, I thought I'd provide a photo and brief bio. The following is from the New York State Courts site:

"Born in Rome, New York, on May 21, 1799, Hiram Denio commenced his legal studies at the age of 17 with Judge Joshua Hathaway of Rome and later studied in the office of Storrs & White in Whitesboro. After admission to the bar in 1821, Denio established a private practice with Wheeler Barnes in Rome. While in Rome, he was appointed County District Attorney, serving in this position from 1825 to 1834. In 1826, he relocated to Utica, forming another legal practice, this time with E.A. Wetmore. In 1834 he was appointed Circuit Judge and Vice-Chancellor for the 5th Circuit. However, four years later, he was forced to resign due to illness, returning to private practice once more. He served as Bank Commissioner from 1838 to 1840. In 1845 Judge Denio assumed the position of Reporter, publishing five volumes of the Reports before leaving the post in 1848. Appointed to fill a vacancy on the Court of Appeals in June 1853, he was reelected twice, serving as Chief Judge from 1856 through 1857. Considered one of the foremost judges in New York, he retired in 1866. Judge Denio served as trustee of Hamilton College from 1835 until his death. In 1859, Madison University (now Colgate University) awarded him the honorary degree of LLD. With William Tracy, he edited an edition of the revised statutes of New York published in 1852. Judge Denio died in Utica, New York, on November 5, 1871."