Chief Justice John Marshall

Chief Justice John Marshall was the fourth Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, serving from 1801 to 1835. He is credited with shaping the role of the judiciary as a coequal branch of government through important decisions that asserted the Court’s authority. Marshall strengthened the power of the Supreme Court by establishing the principle of judicial review, which allows the Court to evaluate and invalidate laws that clash with the Constitution. His leadership helped establish the judiciary as a key player in American government, ensuring the balance of power among the branches and protecting the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.