John Jay

Definition

John Jay was an American statesman, patriot, diplomat and Founding Father who served as the United States' first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He also co-authored the Federalist Papers along with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.

Related terms

Judicial Review: A process under which executive or legislative actions are subject to review by judiciary system. As a Chief Justice, Jay would have been involved in this process.

Treaty of Paris 1783: A treaty negotiated by John Jay that ended Revolutionary War and recognized American independence.

Federalist Papers: A series of essays written by John Jay along with James Madison and Alexander Hamilton defending the proposed Constitution before its ratification.