Benjamin Franklin Hall (July 23, 1814 – September 6, 1891) was a lawyer, politician, and judge from New York State.

He served as the first chief justice of the supreme court of Colorado Territory during the Civil War when there were disputes among those with strong opinions about secession from the Union.

Hall was the first compiler and editor of the serial work Official opinions of the attorneys general of the United States.

[1] His father, Asbury, was born in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and in 1808 he moved to the Lake Champlain area of New York.

[2] In addition to what he taught himself, he was tutored by two heads of local academies on the arts and sciences,[2] history and languages.

Two years later he received an honorary Master of Arts degree from Hobart College, having impressed several of the faculty there with his wealth of knowledge.

[1] Hall was the first compiler and editor of the serial work Official opinions of the attorneys general of the United States.

He was elected assemblyman in the 67th New York State Legislature, which met from January 2 to May 7, 1844, representing Cayuga County.

The same year, Hulbert was elected a county judge and Hall established a solo law practice that he ran until 1861.

[1] Over the course of his career, he helped to establish the Water Works, Fort Hill Cemetery, and Gas Light Company.

He liked to investigate difficult cases, liked to prepare elaborate briefs, and like to submit delicate and intricate questions of law and equity to the courts; but he shrank instinctively from vindictive and wrangling legislation.