Raymond J. McKoski
Retired Illinois Circuit Judge and adjunct professor at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law; author of the book David Davis, Abraham Lincoln's Favorite Judge (U. Illinois Press, 2025), speaking about Davis's life, politics, and judicial ethics.
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Oct 3, 2025 • 58min
Raymond J. McKoski, "David Davis, Abraham Lincoln's Favorite Judge" (U Illinois Press, 2025)
Raymond J. McKoski, a retired Illinois Circuit Judge and adjunct professor, delves into the life of David Davis, a pivotal ally of Abraham Lincoln. He discusses how Davis's strategies helped secure Lincoln's 1860 nomination and his significant role in Lincoln's presidential campaigns. McKoski highlights Davis's unique ability to balance judicial impartiality with political acumen, which sometimes led to tensions with Lincoln. Additionally, he explores Davis's transition from a lawyer to a Supreme Court Justice and his lasting legacy in politics.
Oct 3, 2025 • 58min
Raymond J. McKoski, "David Davis, Abraham Lincoln's Favorite Judge" (U Illinois Press, 2025)
Raymond J. McKoski, a retired Illinois circuit judge and adjunct professor, shares insights from his new book on David Davis, one of Abraham Lincoln's key allies. They discuss the crucial role Davis played in Lincoln's 1860 presidential nomination and his close personal relationship with the future president. McKoski highlights Davis's remarkable impartiality as a judge, his bipartisan reputation, and the strategic decisions that influenced important Civil War-era rulings. Their deep friendship and shared commitment to integrity shaped both their careers in extraordinary ways.
