Wikijunior:American Founding Fathers/John Blair

Who is this?

John Blair

What did he do that made him important?

Blair was a moderate Patriot who supported some measures against British taxes. However, he did pledge his support to cease importing British goods until the taxes were repealed. During the war, Blair served as a member of the convention that drew up Virginia's constitution and held a number of important committee positions. The legislature elected him to a judgeship in the general court in 1778 and soon thereafter to the post of chief justice. He was named Grand Master of Freemasons in Virginia under the newly organized Grand Lodge of Virginia in 1778. He was also elected to Virginia's high court of chancery. In 1786, the legislature, recognizing Blair's prestige as a jurist, appointed him Thomas Jefferson's successor on a committee revising the laws of Virginia.

What did he do when he was young?

Blair was born into a wealthy Virginia family. He went to William and Mary and went to London to study law. He returned to Virginia and practiced law. In 1766 he was elected to the House of Burgesses and went on to become clerk of the Royal Governor's Council, the upper house of the colonial legislature.

What did he do afterward?

Blair went on to become a judge on the Virginia Court of appeals where he helped influence the interpretation of the Constitution.