John McKinley

For the American college football coach, see John L. McKinley. For the Missouri Lieutenant Governor, see John C. McKinley.

For the Australian explorer, see John McKinlay.

John McKinley
Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court
In office April 22, 1837 – July 19, 1852
Nominated by	Martin Van Buren
Preceded by	(none)
Succeeded by	John Archibald Campbell
United States Senator from Alabama
In office March 4, 1837 – April 22, 1837
Preceded by	Gabriel Moore
Succeeded by	Clement C. Clay
In office November 27, 1826 – March 3, 1831
Preceded by	Israel Pickens
Succeeded by	Gabriel Moore
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 2nd district
In office March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1835
Preceded by	Samuel W. Mardis
Succeeded by	Joshua L. Martin
Personal details
Born	(1780-05-01)May 1, 1780 Culpeper County, Virginia
Died	July 19, 1852(1852-07-19) (aged 72) Louisville, Kentucky
Political party	Jacksonian, Democrat

John McKinley (May 1, 1780 – July 19, 1852) was a U.S. Senator from the state of Alabama and an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court.

Born in Culpeper County, Virginia, his family moved to Kentucky when he was an infant. In that state he read law and was admitted to the bar in 1800, practicing in Frankfort and Louisville from 1800 to 1819 before moving to Huntsville, Alabama.

After serving in the Alabama House of Representatives, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, serving his first term from November 27, 1826 to March 3, 1831, being elected to fill out the rest of the term of Henry H. Chambers. Israel Pickens served as interim senator until McKinley was elected. He was reelected to the Senate, but served only from March 4, 1837 until his abrupt resignation on April 22 of that same year. McKinley received a recess appointment from President Martin Van Buren on April 22, 1837, to a newly created seat (one of two which had been created by Congress – 5 Stat. 176) on the Supreme Court. Formally nominated on September 18, 1837, McKinley was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 25, 1837, and received his commission the same day. There was no interim senator this time, and Clement C. Clay was elected to the post. McKinley served on the Supreme Court for fourteen years. He died in Louisville, Kentucky, on July 19, 1852, at the age of 72.

The community of McKinley, Alabama is named in his honor.

References

• John McKinley at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.