Description
A PIONEER IN AMERICAN LEGAL EDUCATION In 1817 David Hoffman published A Course of Legal Study, an ambitious, systematically organized program of readings for aspiring attorneys. It used to be widely acclaimed upon publication; Joseph Story said it offered “by far essentially the most best possible system for the study of the law which has ever been offered to the public.” Hoffman published this book whilst helping to establish the Law Institute of the newly founded University of Maryland. He expounded the principles of the Course in his lectures. A couple of were published as pamphlets to promote Hoffman’s ideas and attract students. In 1837 he re-published them, along side A couple of related texts, in a book entitled Introductory Lectures, And Syllabus of a Course of Lectures, Delivered within the University of Maryland. The Law Library of the Library of Congress holds the one known copy. Life, Letters and Lectures returns this rare volume to print and adds an illuminating biographical sketch of Hoffman and a consideration of his library that reprints an auction catalogue of his books prepared for his estate by Henry Wheaton. DAVID HOFFMAN [1784-1854] used to be a prominent pioneer within the establishment of university-based legal education. He helped to found the University of Maryland Law School in 1816 and used to be its first professor. His A Course of Legal Study (1817) and Legal Outlines (1829) played a essential role within the development of law school curricula and provided guidance to hundreds of antebellum law students and attorneys. BILL SLEEMAN is the Assistant Director for Technical Products and services, Thurgood Marshall Law Library, The University of Maryland School of Law.