Richard T. Merrick

Richard Thomas Merrick (January 28, 1828 – June 23, 1885) was a lawyer and Democratic political figure.

He later moved to Chicago and represented Illinois at the 1860 Democratic National Convention as a delegate for Stephen Douglas.

He defended John Surratt against allegations that he was involved in Abraham Lincoln's assassination, and later represented Samuel J. Tilden at the Electoral Commission of 1877.

In 1874, he endowed the Merrick Medal, a prize given annually to the best debater of the Philodemic Society of Georgetown University.

[3][4] Merrick died on June 23, 1885, and was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.[5] His daughter, Mary Virginia Merrick, was the founder of the National Christ Child Society and is a candidate for canonization.