# Francis R. E. Cornell *American lawyer, politician, and judge; Minnesota Attorney General and associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court* Francis Russell Edward Cornell (1821–1881) was a lawyer, legislator and judge. After settling in [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]], in 1854, he represented District 5 in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] and served three terms as [[Minnesota Attorney General]].[^1][^2] From 1875 until his death in 1881 he sat as an elected associate justice of the [[Minnesota Supreme Court]].[^2] Before moving west, Cornell practiced law in New York and served a term in that state's Senate.[^2] Every statement in this article rests on the cached Wikipedia article. The sources assembled here include no primary instrument naming Cornell, such as a session law, a court opinion or an official legislative register. The record cited does not establish his official acts beyond the sequence of offices held.[^1] ## Biography Cornell was born on November 17, 1821, in Coventry, Chenango County, New York.[^1] He completed his studies at Union College in 1842, where he belonged to the Kappa Alpha Society.[^2] He then read law and joined the bar in 1845. He set up practice in Addison, Steuben County, and held the 26th District seat in the New York State Senate in 1852–1853.[^2] In 1854 he relocated to Minneapolis.[^2] He held a District 5 seat in the Minnesota House for 1861–1862 and again for 1865.[^2] Voters chose him as attorney general in 1867 and returned him to the office twice. His three terms ran from January 10, 1868, to January 9, 1874.[^2] In November 1874 he won election as an associate justice of the state's highest court. He took his seat on January 11, 1875, and remained on the bench until he died in Minneapolis on May 23, 1881.[^2] ## Legacy An article in *Minnesota Law & Politics* listed Cornell among the "100 most influential attorneys in state history."[^3] The Wikipedia summary of that profile describes him as a pioneering trial lawyer who "established his reputation litigating the land claims that arose out of the opening of the government reservation that occupied most of the west side of the Mississippi River at the time."[^3] The same summary credits him as an abolitionist. It says he won the freedom of an enslaved woman whose owner had brought her north on a visit.[^3] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Francis Russell Edward Cornell, lawyer, legislator and judge, 1821–1881.[^1] - Earlier a New York State Senator for the 26th District, 1852–1853.[^2] ### What - Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for District 5, 1861–1862 and 1865.[^2] - Minnesota Attorney General for three terms, 1868–1874.[^2] - Elected associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, serving 1875–1881.[^2] ### When - Born November 17, 1821.[^1] - Died May 23, 1881.[^1] - Elected attorney general in 1867, with service from January 10, 1868, to January 9, 1874.[^2] - Elected to the Supreme Court in November 1874, with service from January 11, 1875.[^2] ### Where - Born in Coventry, Chenango County, New York, and practiced law in Addison, Steuben County.[^2] - Moved to Minneapolis in 1854 and died there.[^2] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Francis R. E. Cornell* (revision 1373186357, retrieved 2026-10-25), lead section. Establishes his full name, his birth and death dates, and his description as lawyer, politician and judge. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_R._E._Cornell [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Francis R. E. Cornell* (revision 1373186357, retrieved 2026-10-25), "Biography" section. Establishes his birthplace, education, admission to the bar and New York Senate service. Also establishes his 1854 move to Minneapolis, his Minnesota House, attorney general and Supreme Court service, and his death in Minneapolis. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_R._E._Cornell [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Francis R. E. Cornell* (revision 1373186357, retrieved 2026-10-25), "Legacy" section. Establishes the *Minnesota Law & Politics* ranking and the description of his land-claims litigation and abolitionist advocacy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_R._E._Cornell