Robert Trimble is widely considered one of the best attorneys in Kentucky history. His humble beginnings lead him from Virginia to Kentucky, where he began to see education and law as his path to the American dream. Trimble successfully pursued this dream and served Kentucky proudly. His hard work paid off in 1826, when President John Quincy Adams appointed Trimble to the United States Supreme Court.
Unfortunately, much of Trimble’s early life is hard to verify. A fire destroyed most records documenting his childhood. However, it is known that Trimble was born in 1777 in Virginia. When he was just two, his family began the difficult journey to Kentucky. Their trip was marked by bandit attacks, the death of a family member, and the eventual birth of Trimble’s sister. They finally arrived in Fort Boonesborough, where they settled in present day Clark County, Kentucky.
Trimble’s early education came from his grandfather, before continuing his studies at a more formal frontier school. When Trimble was a little older, he began teaching at his frontier school to help pay for his education. This education was temporarily put on pause when he fell seriously ill. After fully recovering, Trimble continued his education at Transylvania University. This provided Trimble with an opportunity to begin studying law under George Nicholas, the first attorney general of Kentucky. In 1803, Trimble was admitted to the bar.
Trimble began practicing law at Eades Tavern in Paris, Kentucky. The building served as a home and office. It didn’t take long for Trimble to find success in the field of law. He accepted an appointment to the Kentucky Court of Appeals in 1807. In 1809, he stepped away for family and financial purposes. Trimble returned to his own practice for seven years, making it easier to provide for his family. In 1817, President James Madison appointed Trimble as federal judge for the district of Kentucky. He served in this role for nine years.
In 1826, President John Quincy Adams appointed Robert Trimble to the United States Supreme Court. He replaced fellow Kentuckian Thomas Todd, making him the second Kentuckian to ever serve in the Supreme Court. Trimble was President John Adam’s only Supreme Court appointment. He served alongside Chief Justice John Marshall. Trimble wrote a relatively large number of opinions, which was unusual for newer justices. One of his farthest-reaching opinions set out specific court procedures that are still followed today.
Robert Trimble became ill and passed away in August, 1828. He was 52 years old. Trimble was buried in Paris Cemetery in Kentucky. Despite his short term, Trimble had a major impact on the Supreme Court and left a lasting mark on his fellow Supreme Court justices. Robert Trimble’s memory has lived on in the nearly 200 years since he passed. In 1837, Trimble County, Kentucky was officially established. The county was named in honor of Justice Trimble, one of Kentucky’s brightest ever legal minds. Trimble was recognized again during World War II. A ship named the SS Robert Trimble was constructed and named after Trimble. Robert Trimble’s legacy remains strong in Kentucky and throughout the nation. During his short life, he was a true personification of the American dream.
