Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Judge William Marvin

1808-1902

— Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden —

Judge William Marvin Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

1. Judge William Marvin Marker

Inscription. William Marvin grew up on a farm in New York where he attended and taught school before he read law at Bladenbary MD, near Washington. In 1830, he was admitted to the bar and practiced law in Maryland and New York. In 1835, he was appointed United States District Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. In 1837. he was a member of the Florida Legislative Council from Monroe County In 1839. he represented Monroe County at the St. Josephs Constitutional Convention. In 1839, President Martin Van Buren appointed him Judge of Superior Court of the Southern Judicial District of the Territory of Fiorida. The first Key West Judge James Webb had resigned to move to the Republic of Texas where he became Secretary of State. In 1845, Marvin was elected by the General Assembly as Judge of Circuit Court, which he declined. He returned to practice law in Key West until March 1847, when he was appointed Judge of the United States District (Wrecking) Court Southern District of Florida. Judge Marvin set high standards for the wrecking industry and strictly enforced the law. He became the international authority on Admiralty Law. In

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1858, he published A Treatise on the Law of Wreck and Salvage. His Treatise is still cited. Judge Marvin was an active member and lay reader or st Paul's Episcopal Church. In 1856, on a trip to New York and the northeast, he was able to find donations to build St. Paul's Rectory. He resigned as Judge, in 1863, because of health, anxiety and overwork. In July 1865, he was appointed Provisional Governor of Florida. In December 1865, Marvin was elected U.S. Senator from Florida, but congress held the election null and void. Marvin served as Governor until January 1866.
Donated by
David Paul Horan and Karen Horan

Erected by David Paul Horgan and Karen Horan.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 24° 33.578′ N, 81° 48.421′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It can be reached from the intersection of Wall Street and Tift’s Aly, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located within the Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

2. Judge William Marvin Marker

401 Wall Street, Key West FL 33040, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Keys.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Asa F. Tift (here, next to this marker); Commodore David W. Porter (here, next to this marker); Marco Golan (here, next to this marker); The Origins of Island Roots & Key West Memorial Sculpture Garden (here, next to this marker); A. Maitland Adams (here, next to this marker); Captain John Huling Geiger (here, next to this marker); William A. Whitehead (here, next to this marker); Jefferson B. Browne (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . .
1. William Marvin judge lawyer Governor of Florida.

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(Submitted on May 9, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. The Key West Sculpture Garden – Where History Meets Art. (Submitted on May 9, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 297 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 9, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.