Evarts, William Maxwell (1818-1901), was a famous American lawyer. He became known for successfully handling important trials. He helped President Andrew Johnson gain acquittal in his impeachment trial in 1868 (see Johnson, Andrew (Impeachment)). Evarts served as attorney general of the United States in 1868 and 1869. He was U.S. secretary of state from 1877 to 1881. He also served as U.S. senator from New York from 1885 to 1891. As president of the New York City Bar Association, he led movements for law reform and helped smash the “Tweed Ring” (see Tweed, William M.). His closing argument for the defense in a case against Henry Ward Beecher lasted eight days.
Evarts was born in Boston on Feb. 6, 1818. He died on Feb. 28, 1901.
