Philip N. Nicholas
Philip Norborne Nicholas | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1773 Virginia, United States |
| Died | August 18, 1849 (aged 75–76) Richmond, Virginia, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Lawyer, jurist |
| Known for | Attorney General of Virginia; Judge on the Virginia General Court; President of Farmer’s Bank (Richmond); Republican Elector; member of Richmond Junto |
Philip Norborne Nicholas (1773 – August 18, 1849) was a distinguished American lawyer and jurist originating from Virginia.
Early life
Nicholas pursued his legal education at the College of William and Mary. Prior to turning twenty-one, the General Assembly appointed him as Attorney General of Virginia in 1794.
Career
While serving as Virginia’s Attorney General in 1806, Nicholas led the prosecution against George Wythe Sweeney, who was accused of the arsenic poisoning of his great uncle, George Wythe, a notable Virginian lawyer and Revolutionary figure, along with Wythe's servant Michael. Despite defense efforts by William Wirt and Edmund Randolph, Sweeney was acquitted of murder charges due to Virginia statutes that barred African-American testimony against white defendants; however, he was found guilty of forging checks at the Bank of Virginia.
In addition to his legal work, Nicholas held the position of President at Farmer’s Bank located in Richmond.
He was appointed as a judge on the Virginia General Court in 1823 and maintained this role until his passing.
Between 1809 and 1833, Nicholas acted as a Republican Elector across six presidential elections and was a member of the powerful Richmond Junto, a political group led by Thomas Ritchie, editor of the Richmond Enquirer.
During the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1829-1830, he represented Richmond city along with adjacent counties and contributed to the Committee on the Executive Department.
Death
Philip N. Nicholas passed away in Richmond, Virginia, on August 18, 1849.