Who was almost named to the Supreme Court?

Who was almost named to the Supreme Court?

• A. Abraham Lincoln
• B. Edwin Stanton
• C. Ulysses S. Grant
• D. Andrew Johnson

Answer: (B)

Edwin Stanton was a trusted, highly capable figure in Lincoln’s administration, serving as Secretary of War during the Civil War. Lincoln valued his legal mind and strong loyalty, and there was discussion about nominating Stanton to a seat on the Supreme Court. The idea didn’t materialize because Stanton chose to stay in his powerful War Department role to see the war effort through, so he was almost named to the Court but never actually served. The other figures were prominent leaders of the era, but none were nearly offered a Supreme Court seat in the way Stanton was.

Edwin Stanton was a trusted, highly capable figure in Lincoln’s administration, serving as Secretary of War during the Civil War. Lincoln valued his legal mind and strong loyalty, and there was discussion about nominating Stanton to a seat on the Supreme Court. The idea didn’t materialize because Stanton chose to stay in his powerful War Department role to see the war effort through, so he was almost named to the Court but never actually served. The other figures were prominent leaders of the era, but none were nearly offered a Supreme Court seat in the way Stanton was.