Athens in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Home of Joseph Henry Lumpkin
Georgia's First Chief Justice
Joseph Henry Lumpkin, born in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, Dec. 23, 1799, entered the University of Georgia at fifteen, completing his college education at Princeton, New Jersey, in 1819. Lumpkin passed the bar in 1820 and began practicing law in Lexington, Georgia. He served in the State Legislature, 1824 and 1825, and helped frame the Georgia Penal Code, 1833.
When the Georgia Supreme Court was formed in 1845, the General Assembly elected Lumpkin, Hiram Warner, and Eugenius Nisbet to the bench. His colleagues chose Lumpkin Chief Justice, and he held that position until his death, June 4, 1867. When the University added a school of law, it was given Lumpkin’s name, and he lectured there until the outbreak of the Civil War. The eloquent opinions of Georgia’s first Chief Justice, who revered the spirit as well as the letter of the law, were of inestimable importance in firmly establishing the Supreme Court as part of the State’s legal system.
Lumpkin’s beautiful Greek Revival home was built in 1842. After his death in 1867, the house was used by Madame Sophie Sosnowski as her “Home School” for young ladies. It is now the home of the Athens Woman’s Club.
Erected 1964 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 029-12.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1857.
Location. 33° 57.617′ N, 83° 22.967′ W. Marker is in Athens, Georgia, in Athens-Clarke County. Marker is at the intersection of Prince Avenue (U.S. 129) and North Newton Street, on the right when traveling west on Prince Avenue. The marker stands on the lawn of the Lumpkin Home. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 248 Prince Avenue, Athens GA 30601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Camak House: (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ross Crane House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Louis H. Persley (approx. 0.2 miles away); Athens High and Industrial School (approx. ¼ mile away); University of Georgia Botanical Garden (approx. ¼ mile away); Albon Chase House (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Taylor-Grady House (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.
Regarding Home of Joseph Henry Lumpkin. The Lumpkin Home is now used by the University of Georgia Law School.
Also see . . . Joseph Henry Lumpkin. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry (Submitted on November 13, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,313 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 11, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.