Richard Thomas

Background

Born in Charles County, Maryland, Merrick was the son of William D. Merrick, a member of the Maryland legislature and the United States Senate.

Career

At the age of eighteen, Merrick raised a regiment for service in the Mexican-American War. On his return from Mexico, he began to practice law and was elected to the Maryland Legislature. He later moved to Chicago and represented Illinois at the 1860 Democratic National Convention as a delegate for Stephen Douglas. where he became a successful attorney.

In 1874, he endowed the Merrick Medal, a prize given annually to the best debater of the Philodemic Society of Georgetown University.

He assisted in the prosecution of the star route scandal from 1882 to 1883. He died in 1885 and was buried at Oak Hill cemetery in Georgetown, Washington, District of Columbia

Achievements

• His daughter, Mary Virginia Merrick, was the founder of the National Christ Child Society and is a candidate for canonization.

Views

He defended John Surratt against allegations that he was involved in Abraham Lincoln"s assassination, and later represented Samuel J. Tilden at the Electoral Commission of 1877.