GRIER, Robert Cooper, jurist, born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, 5 March, 1794; died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 26 September, 1870. He was graduated at Dickinson in 1812, and after teaching there one year he returned to Northumberland, Pennsylvania, to assist his father in the academy, of which he became principal in 1815. He devoted his leisure to the study of law, was admitted to the bar in 1817, and practiced in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania He then removed to Danville, where he attained eminence in his profession. He supported his mother, and educated a family of ten brothers and sisters. He was appointed judge of the district court of Allegheny in 1838, and removed to Allegheny City, but went to Philadelphia in 1848 and resided there till his death. He was appointed justice of the United States Supreme Court by President Polk on 4 August, 1846, and held that office until his death, although he had sent in his resignation in 1-869. He was originally a Federalist, but acted with the Democratic party until the civil war, when he supported the national cause.