Born near Versailles, Kentucky, Marshall pursued preparatory studies.
He graduated from Yale College in 1815, and then studied law.
He was professor in the law department of Transylvania College, Lexington, Kentucky from 1836 to 1849.
He died in Louisville, Kentucky, April 17, 1871, and his remains were interred at Lexington Cemetery.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress