Benjamin H. Brewster

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Benjamin Harris Brewster (October 13, 1816 – April 4, 1888) was an attorney and politician from New Jersey, who served as United States Attorney General from 1881 - 1885.

[edit] Education

Born in Salem, New Jersey, he graduated from Princeton College in 1834 and studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1838.^[1]

[edit] Career

In 1846 Brewster was appointed commissioner by President James K. Polk to adjudicate the claims of the Cherokee against the U.S. federal government. He was appointed Attorney General of Pennsylvania in 1867 by Governor John W. Geary.

He was chief prosecutor in the case of the U.S. Postal Service's Star Route Frauds.

Chester A. Arthur appointed Brewster Attorney General of the United States in 1881, and he held that office for the duration of Arthur's term.

Brewster, a son-in-law of fellow Presidential Cabinet Secretary Robert John Walker, died in Philadelphia in 1888 and is buried in Woodlands Cemetery in that city.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Benjamin H. Brewster at Find A Grave

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