Between 1842-1858, he taught at Hamilton, first as tutor and later as professor of law, history, civil polity, and political economy.

[3] However, this was declared unconstitutional by state court judges[4] a decision that was appealed by Professor Dwight.

As described by Columbia Professor Peter L. Strauss, "Where Dwight aimed to give a sound knowledge of the law to men of average ability, Harvard's case method aimed to give as much intellectual stimulation as possible to those who would become the profession's elite.

"[6] Today, the more abstract case method dominates legal education, even at New York Law School.

Dwight-like memorization techniques are also widely used to prepare for state bar exams.

[2] Dwight edited Sir Henry Maine's Ancient Law;[7] was associate editor of the American Law Register and legal editor of Johnson's Cyclopaedia; and published Charitable Uses: Argument in the Rose Will Case (1863).