John William Griggs served as U.S. attorney general from 1898 to 1901 under President William McKinley. A prominent New Jersey politician, Griggs served in both houses of the state legislature and as governor.

Griggs was born on July 10, 1849, in Newton, New Jersey. He graduated from Lafayette College in 1868 and then read the law in Newton with a local law firm. He completed his apprenticeship and was admitted to the New Jersey bar in 1871. Griggs continued to practice law in Newton but soon was attracted to Republican Party politics. A gifted speaker and campaigner, Griggs was elected in 1875 to the New Jersey Assembly. He was reelected in 1877.

In 1879, Griggs decided not to stand for reelection, abandoning politics and moving to Paterson, New Jersey, hoping to increase his income as a lawyer. However, he soon made his way back into local politics and in 1882, Griggs was elected to the New Jersey...