[citation needed] Born on August 16, 1764, in Savannah, Province of Georgia, British America, Clay graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1784 and read law in 1790.
[1] Clay received a recess appointment from President George Washington on September 16, 1796, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Georgia vacated by Judge Nathaniel Pendleton.
He was nominated to the same position by President Washington on December 21, 1796.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 27, 1796, and received his commission on January 2, 1797.
[1] Following his resignation from the federal bench, Clay resumed private practice in Savannah from 1802 to 1804.