Justice Robert Trimble

Justice Robert Trimble joined the U.S. Supreme Court on June 16, 1826, replacing Justice Thomas Todd. Trimble was born on November 17, 1776 in the western part of Virginia. However, his family soon moved to what is now Kentucky, where he attended Transylvania University. Trimble began his legal career in 1803 and briefly served in the Kentucky state legislature around the same time. He also joined the Kentucky Court of Appeals for a short period.

In 1813, Trimble became the U.S. Attorney for the District of Kentucky. President James Madison appointed him to the U.S. District Court for the District of Kentucky four years later. Trimble would hold this seat for nearly a decade.

On April 11, 1826, President John Quincy Adams nominated Trimble to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Senate confirmed him on May 9 in a 27-5 vote, and he took the judicial oath about a month later. Trimble served on the Court for barely two years. He died on August 25, 1828 in Kentucky at just 51 years old. Justice John McLean replaced him on the Court.