John Woodworth

John Woodworth (November 12, 1768, Schodack – June 1, 1858, Albany, New York) was an American lawyer and member of the Woodworth political family.

Early life and education Woodworth was born in 1768, the son of future New York State Senator Robert Woodworth, and Rachel Fitch, daughter of Abel Fitch. Woodworth studied law with John Lansing Jr. at Yale College, graduating in 1788, and was admitted to the bar in 1791.

Public service Woodworth commenced practice in Troy, New York, and was appointed Loan Commissioner in 1792 and Surrogate of Rensselaer County from 1793 to 1804. He was the Democratic-Republican nominee for New York's 7th congressional district in 1796, losing to Federalist incumbent John Evert Van Alen. He was a presidential elector in 1800, voting for Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. In 1811, Woodworth was appointed a commissioner to revise the state laws. Woodworth was a Regent of the University of the State of New York.

Woodworth was a member of the New York State Senate from 1804 to 1807, and at the same time was New York State Attorney General from 1804 to 1808. He was a justice of the New York State Supreme Court from 1819 to 1828. He was one of the last members of the Council of Revision which was abolished by the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1821.

Literary works Laws of New York, with Notes (with William P. Van Ness, 2 vols., Albany, 1813) Reminiscences of Troy from its Settlement in 1790 till 1807 (Albany, 1855)