Quick Facts
Biography
Samuel Lee Selden (October 12, 1800 Lyme, New London County, Connecticut – September 20, 1876 Rochester, Monroe County, New York) was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals in 1862.
Life
He was the son of Calvin Selden and Phebe Ely Selden. In 1821, he moved to Rochester, New York following his sister who had married Rochester lawyer Joseph Spencer. Selden studied law with Addison Gardiner, and formed a partnership with him after being admitted to the bar in 1825. On July 27, 1831, Selden married Susan Matilda Ward.
From 1831 to 1837, he was First Judge of the Monroe County Court.
From 1847 to 1855, he was a justice of the New York Supreme Court.
He was a judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 1856 to 1862, elected on the Hard Democratic ticket. He was Chief Judge from January to July 1862 when he resigned from the bench, and his brother Henry R. Selden was appointed to fill the vacancy.