Tell me a bio of Charles Allen (jurist).

Include key facts about their life, career, achievements, and impact.

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Charles Allen (1827-1913) was an American jurist who served as a justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court from 1882 to 1907. Here is a brief bio of his life, career, achievements, and impact:

**Early Life and Education**

Charles Allen was born on August 9, 1827, in Northampton, Massachusetts, to a family of modest means. He was the youngest of six children, and his parents encouraged his love of learning from an early age. Allen attended the local public schools and later enrolled at Harvard University, where he graduated in 1847. He then went on to study law at Harvard Law School, earning his LL.B. degree in 1850.

**Career**

After completing his law studies, Allen began practicing law in Boston, Massachusetts. He quickly established himself as a skilled and respected attorney, specializing in commercial and corporate law. In 1867, he was appointed as a judge of the Massachusetts Superior Court, where he served for 15 years. In 1882, he was elevated to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the state's highest court, where he served for 25 years.

**Achievements**

During his tenure on the Supreme Judicial Court, Allen wrote numerous influential opinions that shaped the development of Massachusetts law. He was particularly known for his expertise in corporate law and his opinions on the rights of shareholders. One of his most notable decisions was in the case of _Foss v. Harbottle_ (1862), which established the principle that shareholders have the right to bring derivative suits against corporate officers and directors.

**Impact**

Allen's impact on Massachusetts law and the broader American legal landscape was significant. He was a strong advocate for the rights of shareholders and helped to establish the principle of corporate accountability. His opinions on corporate law were widely cited and respected, and he played a key role in shaping the development of business law in the United States.

**Personal Life**

Allen was a private person who kept a low public profile. He was married to Elizabeth Dwight, and the couple had three children together. He was a member of the American Bar Association and the Massachusetts Bar Association, and he served as a trustee of Harvard University.

**Legacy**

Charles Allen's legacy as a jurist is still remembered today. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential justices in the history of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, and his opinions continue to be cited by courts and scholars around the world. His commitment to the principles of corporate accountability and shareholder rights helped to shape the development of business law in the United States, and his impact on the legal profession continues to be felt.
Charles Allen (1827-1913) was an American jurist and lawyer who served as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court for over 20 years. Here is a bio of his life, career, achievements, and impact:

**Early Life and Education**

Charles Allen was born on August 9, 1827, in Northborough, Massachusetts. He was the son of a Unitarian minister and grew up in a family that valued education. Allen graduated from Harvard University in 1847 and went on to study law at the Harvard Law School, where he earned his LL.B. degree in 1850.

**Career**

Allen began his career as a lawyer in Boston, Massachusetts, where he practiced law for over a decade. In 1862, he was appointed as a commissioner of insolvency, a position that gave him experience in the administration of bankruptcy cases. In 1868, Allen was appointed as a judge of the Massachusetts Superior Court, where he served for eight years. In 1876, he was elevated to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the state's highest court, where he served as an Associate Justice for over 20 years until his retirement in 1896.

**Achievements and Impact**

During his tenure on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Allen made significant contributions to the development of Massachusetts law. He was known for his expertise in commercial and corporate law, and his opinions helped shape the state's jurisprudence in these areas. Allen was also a strong advocate for the protection of individual rights and liberties. In 1884, he wrote a landmark opinion in the case of Nichols v. Nichols, which established the principle that a married woman's earnings are her own property, separate from her husband's. This opinion was a significant milestone in the struggle for women's rights in Massachusetts.

Allen was also a leader in the effort to codify Massachusetts law. In the 1880s, he was a member of a commission established by the Massachusetts Legislature to revise and codify the state's statutes. The resulting code, which was adopted in 1887, was a major overhaul of Massachusetts law and remains the basis of the state's laws to this day.

**Legacy**

Charles Allen's legacy is that of a dedicated public servant who made significant contributions to the development of Massachusetts law. His opinions and writings had a lasting impact on the state's jurisprudence, and his advocacy for individual rights and liberties helped shape the course of Massachusetts history. Allen's commitment to codifying Massachusetts law also helped bring order and clarity to the state's statutory framework, which continues to benefit the people of Massachusetts to this day.

Overall, Charles Allen was a respected and accomplished jurist who served the state of Massachusetts with distinction for over two decades. His legacy is a testament to his dedication to the law and his commitment to protecting the rights and liberties of the people of Massachusetts.