John Bannister Gibson
John Bannister Gibson | |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania | |
| In office 1827–1851 | |
| Preceded by | William Tilghman |
| Succeeded by | Jeremiah S. Black |
| Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania | |
| In office 1816–1827 | |
| In office 1851–1853 | |
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |
| In office 1810–1812 | |
| Constituency | Cumberland County |
| Chair of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee | |
| In office 1811–1812 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 8, 1780 Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, US |
| Died | May 3, 1853 (aged 72) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Sarah Work Galbraith |
| Relations | General George Gibson (brother) |
| Children | Eight |
| Alma mater | Dickinson College |
John Bannister Gibson (November 8, 1780 – May 3, 1853) was a Pennsylvania jurist. He served on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court from 1816 to his death in 1853, and was chief justice on the court for 24 years. "During his highly influential career, he wrote more than twelve hundred opinions and was known for maintaining a generally restrictive view of judicial authority, [and] aiding measures for internal improvements and public works"[.] With some reluctance, Gibson also strictly followed precedent and legal text to deny the franchise to Pennsylvania’s free persons of African descent (Hobbs v. Fogg, 6 Watts 553 (Pa. 1837)).