Richard Rush served as U.S. attorney general from 1814 to 1817 under President James Monroe. An able diplomat and administrator, he served in several state and federal offices during his career. Rush also was instrumental in the establishment of the Smithsonian Institution.

Rush came from a notable family. He was born on August 29, 1780 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Dr. Benjamin Rush. The senior Rush was one of the important American intellectuals of the late eighteenth century and had signed the Declaration of Independence. Richard Rush graduated from Princeton University in 1797 and then studied law with an attorney. During this period there were no law schools to train attorneys. Instead, Rodney served an apprenticeship, performing routine clerical duties, researching the law and receiving guidance from a senior attorney. After three years of apprenticeship he was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar.

Rush practiced law, dabbled in ideas and the arts...