Background
Franklin Dexter was born on November 5, 1793 in Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States. He was the son of Samuel Dexter and of his wife Catherine (Gordon) Dexter.
( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
https://www.amazon.com/Delivered-Selectmen-Commemoration-Anniversary-Independence/dp/1374474851?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=1374474851
( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
https://www.amazon.com/Investigation-Fifteen-Massachusetts-Committee-Legislature/dp/1372493476?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=1372493476
https://www.amazon.com/Letter-Representative-Congress-Apology-Fugitive-ebook/dp/B004TOPFCG?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B004TOPFCG
Franklin Dexter was born on November 5, 1793 in Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States. He was the son of Samuel Dexter and of his wife Catherine (Gordon) Dexter.
Dexter received his early education in the public schools, and, proceeding to Harvard College, graduated there in 1812.
Dexter read law with Samuel Plubbard and was admitted to practise in the court of common pleas, Suffolk County, September 1815, and in the supreme judicial court, December 1818.
He commenced practise in Boston and from the first evinced great interest in public affairs. In 1825 he was elected representative from Boston in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
The first occasion upon which he came prominently before the public was the trial of Theodore Lyman for a criminal libel upon Daniel Webster in the Jackson Republican, October 29, 1828.
He was retained for the defense, which he conducted with great ability, and the jury were unable to agree, a nolle prosequi being subsequently entered on behalf of the Commonwealth. This case attracted national attention owing to its political attributes.
In 1830 as counsel for defense of the two Knapps in connection with the murder of Joseph White at Salem he at once stepped into the foremost rank as an advocate.
The Commonwealth had retained Daniel Webster on the trial of John Francis Knapp who was charged with murder, and after a ten days’ hearing, the jury disagreed, but at the new trial the accused was found guilty, as was also Joseph Jenkins Knapp, Jr. , who was charged as an accessory.
Though both prisoners were hanged, Dexter’s conduct of the defense was considered masterly.
In 1835 he was elected state senator and in 1836 again became representative from Boston in the legislature, serving on this occasion as a member of the Select Committee on Revision of Statutes.
In 1840 he was associated with another Boston cause celebre, the trial of Mrs. Kenney for the murder of her husband, appearing for the defense and securing an acquittal.
In 1841 he was appointed by President Harrison United States district attorney for Massachusetts and retained this position for four years exhibiting “the most exact appreciation of the duties of his station and every qualification for their performance”.
In 1848-49 he was a lecturer at Harvard Law School. He was reappointed district attorney by President Taylor in 1849, but held office only a short time. He had practically retired from professional work at this period, and devoted the remainder of his life to travel and literary study.
Although he was conspicuous among his contemporaries for his sound legal knowledge, possessing outstanding ability as an advocate and equipped with every qualification for public life, Dexter’s achievements fell far short of his intellectual promise. The possession of independent means obviated the necessity of continuous and sustained effort to put forth his best, and posterity can only judge him by his record in the three great cases with which his name is associated.
( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)
( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)
On September 28, 1819 Franklin Dexter married Catherine Elizabeth, daughter of Judge William Prescott of Boston.