READ, John Meredith, American jurist: k Philadelphia, Pa., 21 July 17974.d-there,•29 Nov. 1874. He was a son of George Read, signer of the Declaration of Independence, was graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1812 and admitted to the bar in 1818. In 1822-23 he occupied a seat in his State's legis 'attire, and later as city solicitor drew up the first statement of the finances of Philadelphia. He was United States attorney for the eastern district of Pennsylvania in 1837-44, and served as solicitor-general of the United States attorney-general of Pennsylvania and chief justice of that State from 1860 until his death. In 1845 he was nominated for associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, but his confirmation was opposed in the United States Senate because he had been a founder of the free-soil wing of the Democratic party, and he withdrew his name. With the formation of the
Republican party he became one of its mem bers, and by it was elected judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1858. His name was proposed as a candidate for the presidency of the United States in 1860 and several votes were actually cast for him in the Chicago convention, though he used his per sonal influence in favor of Abraham Lincoln. His on the Suspension of the Habeas Corpus) (1863) became the basis of the act of 3 March 1863, authorizing the President to sus pend the habeas corpus act. His legal opinions extend through 41 volumes of re ports, while of his published addresses the principal are (Plan for the Administration of the Girard Trust> (1833) ; Law of Evi dence> (1864); (Jefferson Davis and his Com plicity in the Assassination of Abraham Lin coln) (1866).