Thomas Bell Monroe

Thomas Bell Monroe served as a judge on the District Court of Kentucky from 1834 to 1861. Monroe was born on October 7, 1791 in Albemarle County, Virginia. At age 15, he was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives. Monroe attended Transylvania University and studied law until 1821. Following graduation, he practiced law in Frankfort, Kentucky until 1830. During these years, Monroe also served as Kentucky's Secretary of State (1823-1824) and as a reporter for the Kentucky Court of Appeals (1825). In 1830, Monroe became United States Attorney for the District of Kentucky. Four years later, President Andrew Jackson nominated him to be a judge for the District, to a seat vacated by Judge John Boyle. The Senate confirmed the appointment on March 6, 1834 and he received commission two days later. Monroe served on Court until September 18, 1861, when he resigned from his seat.