Charles Mason (attorney)
Encyclopedia
Charles Mason was born in New York and became a patent attorney
, taught engineering
, and was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Iowa
. He was later the United States Commissioner of Patents.
However, today Mason is perhaps most remembered as the cadet who graduated first in the class of 1829 at the United States Military Academy
at West Point, ahead of future Confederate Army commander Robert E. Lee
. Mason and Lee were tied for the head of the class in Artillery, Tactics, and Conduct, but Mason bested Lee in all other subjects and graduated with an overall score of 1995.5 points, compared to Lee's 1966.5. Charles Mason resigned his commission two years after graduation in 1831.
Patent attorney
A patent attorney is an attorney who has the specialized qualifications necessary for representing clients in obtaining patents and acting in all matters and procedures relating to patent law and practice, such as filing an opposition...
, taught engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, and was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. He was later the United States Commissioner of Patents.
However, today Mason is perhaps most remembered as the cadet who graduated first in the class of 1829 at the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point, ahead of future Confederate Army commander Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
. Mason and Lee were tied for the head of the class in Artillery, Tactics, and Conduct, but Mason bested Lee in all other subjects and graduated with an overall score of 1995.5 points, compared to Lee's 1966.5. Charles Mason resigned his commission two years after graduation in 1831.