Anderson Crenshaw

Anderson Crenshaw (May 22, 1783–August 31, 1847) was an American jurist in the U.S. state of Alabama.

Anderson Crenshaw was born in South Carolina, on May 22, 1783. He was the first graduate of the university of South Carolina, and entered the legal profession and became a lawyer in his native state. He moved to Alabama in 1819, and settled at Cahaba, the capital, and then moved to Butler county in 1821. He was circuit judge from 1821 to 1838, and the circuit judges constituted the supreme court of the state until 1832. He was chancellor of the southern division of Alabama from 1838 till his death. While on the supreme bench he became somewhat noted for rendering dissenting opinions, which afterward became the law. He died in Butler county on August 31, 1847. Crenshaw county, Alabama was named for him.

The following extract is from Garrett's Public Men of Alabama: "He was a whig in politics, but so moderate in his views and feelings, and so devoted to the duties of the high places he occupied, that the question of party politics was never brought to bear upon him, in consequence of which he was retained in office under elections of the legislature, when large democratic majorities existed. His virtues as a man, and his abilities and integrity as a judge, gained the public confidence from the beginning of his long administration of justice, which he retained to the last. Nothing more need be added to such a pregnant record of success."