This is an attempt by a son to record the life of his father… I have striven to be honest, but to be cold was beyond my wishes, as it was beyond my power. No one ever came within the sphere of my father’s influence without feeling an enthusiasm for his character and an admiration for his powers; and in my own case, I willingly admit that love may have lent ‘a precious seeing to the eye.’ –William W. Story, Preface (1851)

Life and Letters of Joseph Story, Vol. II (in Two Volumes) –Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and Dane Professor of Law at Harvard University is a biography of Joseph Story with a collection of his letters, edited by Story’s son, William Wetmore Story. Joseph Story (1779-1845) was one of the most significant lawyers in early American constitutional history and became the youngest US Supreme Court Justice (1811-45) at age 32. He worked closely with Chief Justice John Marshall in developing the legal foundation for American nationalism.