John William Duane

Alfred Webb

1878

Duane, William John, a lawyer, was born at Clonmel in 1780. He went to America when young, was first a printer, then a paper-dealer, was admitted to the Bar in 1815, and often represented Philadelphia in the State Legislature. He was a distinguished lawyer, took a deep interest in public schools, and was a trustee and director of Girard College. In 1833 he was removed by Jackson from the position of Secretary of the United States Treasury for declining to order the removal of the deposits from the United States Bank. He was the author of the Law of Nations Investigated, and other works. He died in Philadelphia, 27th September 1865, aged about 85.

Sources

37a. Biographical Dictionary—American Biography: Francis S. Drake. Boston, 1876.

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