Did You Know...

Through a Son’s Eyes

William Cranch began to report the opinions of the Supreme Court in 1801, following the Court’s move to the nation’s new capital. In this era, court reporters recorded and published rulings of courts as a business venture. For 14 years, Cranch compiled the Supreme Court’s opinions while simultaneously serving as a judge, and later chief judge, of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia. The growing burden of reporting the increasing number of cases, as well as monetary loss from sales, led Cranch to cease reporting in 1815.

Two of Cranch’s sons, John and Christopher, became artists and both painted their father to capture his legacy and distinguished career. John’s portrait is currently on display at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The Supreme Court has a later copy of John’s portrait and also a copy of the portrait by Christopher, seen here.