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Roger Taney

Roger Brooke Taney (March 17, 1777 - October 12,1864) was the fifth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, from his nomination by President Andrew Jackson until his death in 1864.

Taney is best known for having written the decision for the controversial case Dred Scott v. Sanford 60 US 393 1857, whose outcome was one of the important factors leading to the American Civil War.

A little-known fact is that Francis Scott Key is Roger Taney's brother in-law. Taney served as Chief Justice for 28 years, the 2nd longest Chief Justiceship in U.S. history.

Taney was from Frederick, Maryland.

Named for Chief Justice Taney is Taney County, Missouri.