Theodore Sedgwick (writer)

Theodore Sedgwick III (January 27, 1811 – December 9, 1859) was an American attorney and author on legal topics.

Theodore Sedgwick
Mathew Brady photo, circa 1858
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York
In office January 1858 – December 1859
Preceded by	John McKeon
Succeeded by	James I. Roosevelt
Personal details
Born	(1811-01-27)January 27, 1811 Albany, New York
Died	December 9, 1859(1859-12-09) (aged 48) Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Resting place	Stockbridge Cemetery, Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Sarah Morgan Ashbury (m. 1835-1859, his death)
Relations	Theodore Sedgwick (1746-1813) (grandfather) Catharine Sedgwick (aunt)
Children	7
Parents	Theodore Sedgwick (1780-1839) Susan Anne Ridley Sedgwick
Education	Columbia College
Occupation	Attorney Author

He was born in Albany, New York, the son of Theodore Sedgwick II (1780–1839) and Susan Anne Ridley Sedgwick (1788–1867). He was a grandson of Theodore Sedgwick (1746–1813).

He graduated from Columbia College in 1829. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in May, 1833.

Sedgwick spent 15 months in Europe, primarily a member of Edward Livingston's legation when Livingston served as U.S. Minister to France. On his return home in May 1835, he joined his uncle Robert Sedgwick's law practice in New York. He took over the practice when Robert was debilitated by a stroke in 1838, and remained active until 1850.[1]

Ill health forced Sedgwick to retire in 1850. He spent the next several years travelling in Europe, including visits to Italy, Switzerland, France, and England. In 1852, he became president of the Crystal Palace Association, organizing the construction of the building for the New York World's Fair.[2]

In 1857, Sedgwick declined President James Buchanan's offers to become Minister to the Netherlands and assistant secretary of state. In 1858, he became United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Sedgwick died in Stockbridge on December 9, 1859. He was buried at Stockbridge Cemetery.

His writings include his edition of the political writings of William Leggett (two volumes, 1840); Treatise on the Measure of Damages (1847; eighth edition, 1891); Treatise on the Rules which Govern the Interpretation and Application of Statutory and Constitutional Law (1857; second edition, 1874); and Thoughts on the Proposed Annexation of Texas (1844, originally published 1843 as letters to the New York Evening Post), which declared the annexation of Texas unconstitutional.