William Marbury was one of the famous "Midnight Judges

Midnight Judges

The Midnight Judges Act represented an effort to solve an issue in the U.S. Supreme Court during the early 19th century. There was concern, beginning in 1789, about the system that required the justices of the Supreme Court to “ride circuit” and reiterate decisions made in the appellate level...

". Due to President John Adams

John Adams

John Adams was an American lawyer, statesman, diplomat and political theorist. A leading champion of independence in 1776, he was the second President of the United States...

's work in the night before he was to leave office, Marbury was to be appointed a Justice of the Peace

Justice of the Peace

A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...

 in the District of Columbia. He was appointed there to give the Federalists a stronghold in the judicial branch. Marbury tried to take office as one of these judges, but was blocked by James Madison

James Madison

James Madison, Jr. was an American statesman and political theorist. He was the fourth President of the United States and is hailed as the “Father of the Constitution” for being the primary author of the United States Constitution and at first an opponent of, and then a key author of the United...

 when Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...

 took office. He was blocked because he, although appointed as judge, never got his paperwork saying he was a judge sent to him. Due to this, Marbury sued, resulting in the landmark case
Marbury v. Madison

Marbury v. Madison

Marbury v. Madison, is a landmark case in United States law and in the history of law worldwide. It formed the basis for the exercise of judicial review in the United States under Article III of the Constitution. It was also the first time in Western history a court invalidated a law by declaring...

. This case took place in 1803. He started the most influential court case of all time. Setting up John Marshall to make the decision of no decision, and establishing judicial review.

Early life

William Marbury was born in Piscataway, Maryland

Piscataway, Maryland

Piscataway is an unincorporated community in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. It is one of the oldest European-colonized communities in the state...

. Named after his father, Marbury spent most of his early life in Maryland around his home.
Marbury's former Georgetown

Georgetown, Washington, D.C.

Georgetown is a neighborhood located in northwest Washington, D.C., situated along the Potomac River. Founded in 1751, the port of Georgetown predated the establishment of the federal district and the City of Washington by 40 years...

 home is now known as "Forrest-Marbury House

Forrest-Marbury House

The Forrest-Marbury House, located at 3350 M Street, Northwest, in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., and not far from the Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Potomac River was the site of the March 29, 1791 meeting between George Washington and local land-owners. The meeting was to discuss the federal...

" and serves as the Ukrainian Embassy to the U.S.

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...