Edward Woodward Gilpin was a successful American jurist. Though circumstances at first were against him, he had managed to step into the world of business and acquire a leading position at the Wilmington bar. He was appointed attorney-general of Delaware.
Background
Edward Woodward Gilpin was born on July 13, 1803, at Wilmington, Delaware, where his father, William Gilpin, who had married Ann Dunwoody, was engaged in business.
He was of English ancestry, tracing his descent from Joseph Gilpin, who emigrated to America about 1695 and settled at New Castle, Delaware. When Edward was still in his infancy his father failed in business, the home was broken up, and he spent his youth with his paternal grandfather, who operated a paper-mill on the Brandywine River.
Education
Gilpin attended the local schools; then, at seventeen, being compelled to earn his own living, he obtained employment as a clerk in a store at Wilmington. In 1821, he rejoined his father in Philadelphia and was apprenticed to a tanner and currier.
These avocations were extremely distasteful to him, and though he continued to work in the store, he commenced to read the law, subsequently entering the office of Senator John Wales, as a student. He was admitted to the bar, October 3, 1827, and commenced practice in Wilmington.
Career
In 1822, Gilpin returned to Wilmington, where, after continuing his trade for a short time, he became a clerk in his brother’s store.
His early experiences had given him a practical acquaintance with the business world which was of great assistance to him, and he soon obtained a good connection. No details of his professional progress are available, but in the course of a few years he acquired a leading position at the Wilmington bar, and his ability was recognized throughout the state.
He was appointed attorney-general of Delaware, February 12, 1840, by Gov. Comegys, and within two months of assuming office was afforded a striking opportunity of exhibiting a rigid adherence to principle regardless of race and color.
On the expiration of his term in 1845, he was reappointed by Gov. Stockton, and retained office till 1850, when he retired and resumed private practice at Wilmington.
In 1857, Gov. Causey, with the approval of the bar and the public, appointed Gilpin chief justice of Delaware, a position which he occupied for nearly twenty years. His record upon the bench more than justified the high opinions which had been held of his legal ability.
He died very suddenly at Dover, Delaware, while holding court.
Achievements
Gilpin caused a prominent citizen to be indicted on a charge of kidnapping an African-American and procured a court ruling that the evidence of the latter was admissible, though there were white persons present participating in the crime.
His action created a sensation since it ran counter to all tradition and precedent, but the decision held good.
Politics
In political life, Gilpin was a supporter of Henry Clay and affiliated himself with the Whig party, but was always inclined to hold independent views, and ardently upheld the Union cause.
Personality
Possessing a keen analytical mind, quick to grasp with unerring instinct the crucial points of the most involved cases, a sound lawyer who never permitted the merits of a case to be obscured by technicalities, and an indefatigable worker, Gilpin inspired confidence by his independence and by the scrupulous care with which he considered every argument presented to him.
Though by temperament tenacious of a conclusion when once arrived at, he always preserved an open mind and on more than one occasion “was known in the afternoon to come into Court and frankly reverse the rulings of the morning”. The dignity with which he guided proceedings before him was equaled only by the severity with which he met any action which he thought might detract from the respect which was his due.
His opinions, couched in clear concise language and distinguished by their logical precision, have been conceded an authority unsurpassed by the opinions of any other occupant of the Delaware bench.
Connections
Gilpin was married on March 15, 1842, to Eleanor Adelaide La Motte, daughter of Daniel La Motte.
