American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts

"A great jurist and a great statesman," Read was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1822 and 1823, and served as City Solicitor of Philadelphia from 1830 to 1833. He was appointed District Attorney of the eastern district of Pennsylvania in 1837 and held the office until 1845. Read became Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1858, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1872. Read gained an international reputation for the depth of his knowledge, eloquence, and masterly arguments in the courtroom. Active in politics, Read was an early supporter and organizer of the Republican party.