Viewing William Kent, editor, "Memoirs and Letters of James Kent" (1898).William Kent, editor, "Memoirs and Letters of James Kent" (1898).James Kent (1763-1847) was a New York lawyer, educator, jurist and author of a most famous and influential treatise on American law--the four volume "Kent's Commentaries" published between 1826-1830. 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. In 1898 his Great Grandson finished a memoir of the Chancellor originally conceived by his father. It was published in 1898 and unlike many judicial biographies is very readable and even entertaining at times. Take for instance this sentimental anecdote about Kent, then a justice of the New York Supreme Court, who was riding circuit accompanied by lawyers, one of whom he revered:
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