Edward G. Loring facts for kids

Edward Greely Loring (born January 28, 1802 – died June 18, 1890) was an American judge. He served as a judge in Massachusetts and later for the United States government. He became very unpopular in the northern states. This was because he ordered the return of escaped enslaved people. He followed a law called the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. This law said that escaped enslaved people had to be returned to their owners. His actions led to him losing his job as a judge in Massachusetts.

Early Life and Career

Edward Greely Loring was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 28, 1802. He went to Harvard University and earned a degree in 1821. After college, he studied law and became a lawyer in 1824.

He worked as a private lawyer. At the same time, he served as a master in chancery in Suffolk County, Massachusetts. From 1840 to 1855, he was a United States Commissioner. This meant he helped the federal court with certain legal tasks. He also served as a Judge of Probate for Suffolk County from 1847 to 1858. He even taught law at Harvard Law School from 1852 to 1855.

The Fugitive Slave Law

As a United States Commissioner, Loring had an important job. He was responsible for cases under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. This law said that escaped enslaved people found in free states had to be returned to their owners. Many people in Boston and other northern states strongly disagreed with this law. They believed slavery was wrong.

Loring had to make decisions in these difficult cases. He ordered the return of two escaped enslaved men, Thomas Sims and Anthony Burns. This made many people, especially those who wanted to end slavery (called abolitionists), very angry.

Public Reaction and Removal

Abolitionists, led by people like William Lloyd Garrison, wanted Loring removed from his job as a probate judge. They gathered many signatures on petitions. They also asked the Massachusetts government to remove him.

It was a big fight. The Massachusetts legislature tried to remove him in 1855 and 1856. However, the governor at the time, Henry J. Gardner, refused to remove him. Finally, in 1857, a new governor, Nathaniel P. Banks, agreed. He removed Loring from his state judge position.

Federal Judge Service

Even though he lost his state job, Edward Loring was nominated for a new position. President James Buchanan nominated him to be a judge on the United States Court of Claims. This court handles cases where people sue the U.S. government.

The United States Senate approved his nomination on May 6, 1858. He became a judge on the Court of Claims that same day. From 1859 to 1863, he served as the Presiding Judge of the court. He continued to serve as a judge until he resigned on December 14, 1877.

Death

Edward Greely Loring passed away on June 19, 1890, in Winthrop, Massachusetts.

Family Connections

Edward Loring was a descendant of Thomas Loring, an early settler in New England. His cousin, Charles Greely Loring, was also a lawyer. Interestingly, Charles Greely Loring defended Thomas Sims in the 1851 case.