James Kent (1763-1847) was a New York lawyer, educator, jurist and author of an influential treatise on American law. He served as Chief Justice of the New York Supreme Court, 1804-1814, and Chancellor of New York (the presiding judge of the Court of Chancery), 1814-1823.
He is best known for "Kent's Commentaries"--his four volume "Commentaries on American Law" published between 1826-1830. Posted here is the concluding volume of the thirteenth edition with additions by Charles M. Barnes published in 1896. It retains the additions of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., in the twelfth edition.
Chancellor kent was the subject of a long study by Charles B. Elliott, "An American Chancellor," 37 American Law Review 321 (May-June 1903). It was originally delivered as a speech to the Yale Law School on March 25, 1903. Elliott (1861-1935) was a Minnesota lawyer, district court judge, Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court and U. S. official in the Philippines.
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