William Adams Richardson

William Adams Richardson
Chief Justice of the Court of Claims
In office January 20, 1885 – October 19, 1896
Appointed by	Chester A. Arthur
Preceded by	Charles D. Drake
Succeeded by	Charles C. Nott
Judge of the Court of Claims
In office June 2, 1874 – January 20, 1885
Appointed by	Ulysses S. Grant
Preceded by	Samuel Milligan
Succeeded by	John Davis
29th United States Secretary of the Treasury
In office March 17, 1873 – June 3, 1874
President	Ulysses S. Grant
Preceded by	George S. Boutwell
Succeeded by	Benjamin Bristow
Personal details
Born	William Adams Richardson (1821-11-02)November 2, 1821 Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	October 19, 1896(1896-10-19) (aged 74) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting place	Oak Hill Cemetery Washington, D.C., U.S.
Education	Harvard University (AB, AM, LLB)

William Adams Richardson (November 2, 1821 – October 19, 1896) was an American lawyer who served as the 29th United States secretary of the treasury from 1873 to 1874. During his tenure, the Panic of 1873 swept the nation and caused a depression that lasted five years. He controversially responded by issuing $26 million in greenbacks, which averted the crisis, although there was debate as to whether he had the authority to do so. His tenure was marred by the Sanborn incident in 1874, which involved favoritism and profiteering in the collection of unpaid taxes. He was later appointed a judge, and subsequently the chief justice, of the United States Court of Claims.