George Hay

Who was George Hay?

George Hay was a United States federal judge.

Born in Williamsburg, Virginia, Hay read law to enter the bar, and was in private practice in Petersburg, Virginia from 1787 to 1801, then in Richmond, Virginia until 1803. He was a U.S. Attorney for the District of Virginia from 1803 to 1816. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1816 to 1822, returning to private practice in Washington, D.C. from 1822 to 1825. He was married to Eliza Kortright Monroe, the daughter of President James Monroe.

On July 5, 1825, Hay received a recess appointment from John Quincy Adams to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia vacated by St. George Tucker. Formally nominated on December 13, 1825, Hay was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 31, 1826, and received his commission the same day. He served until his death, in Richmond, Virginia.