2. John marshall Chief Justice of the United States Court opinions helped lay the basis for constitutional law Made the supreme court a coequal branch of the government Leader of the Federalist party
3. Background and history Born on September 24, 1755 Served in the Continental army Lieutenant in the Culpeper minutemen Became a lawyer Representative in the Virginia house of Delegates Attorney General of the United States Supreme Court
4. Importance Chief Justice of the Supreme court Participated in over 1000 decisions Established the Supreme Court as the final authority on the meaning of the Constitution in federal cases
