At forty-one he had been appointed to the Supreme Bench of the United States at the earnest request and warm recommendation of Mr.Webster, then Secretary of State.

Mr.Webster is reported to have said that he had placed the people of Massachusetts under lasting obligation to him by inducing Governor Lincoln, in 1830, to appoint Lemuel Shaw Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State, a position which he honored and adorned for thirty years.

Mr.Webster thought he was doing an equal service to the people of the entire Union when he induced the President to call Mr.Curtis to the Supreme Bench.

But judicial life had not proved altogether agreeable to Judge Curtis, and after a remarkable and brilliant career of six years he resigned, in October, 1857, and returned to the practice of the law--his learning increased, his mind enriched and broadened by the grave national questions engaging the attention of the court during the period of his service.
Thenceforward during his life no man at the bar of the United States held higher rank.

He was entirely devoted to his profession.