John Marshall (Supreme Court)

John Marshall was the fourth Chief Justice of the United States, serving from 1801 to 1835. He greatly influenced the Supreme Court and established its role in the American government. Marshall is best known for reinforcing the principle of judicial review, which allows the Court to invalidate laws that conflict with the Constitution. His landmark decisions, such as Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland, helped define federal authority and the balance of power between state and national governments. Marshall’s tenure laid the foundation for the modern judiciary and shaped American constitutional law.