Roswell Martin Field was a prominent nineteenth-century American lawyer and politician whose legal career left a lasting impact on United States history. Born into the well-known Field family of Vermont, he pursued a career in law and public service, which included serving as a representative in the Vermont House of Representatives.
Field is best remembered for his crucial role in one of the most significant legal battles in American history. In 1853, he acted as one of the attorneys representing the enslaved Dred and Harriet Scott, as well as their daughters. In connection with the landmark case Dred Scott v. Sandford, Field argued in favor of the rights of African Americans to be recognized as citizens of the United States. His legal advocacy in this historic civil rights struggle remains his most enduring legacy.
