Who was the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1801 to 1835?

The chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1801 to 1835 was John Marshall. His tenure is one of the longest in the Court's history and was significant in shaping the American legal landscape. Marshall is renowned for establishing the principle of judicial review through the landmark case Marbury v. Madison, which asserted the power of the Supreme Court to invalidate laws that conflict with the Constitution. This principle has become a fundamental aspect of the American judicial system. Additionally, throughout his time on the Court, Marshall strengthened the power of the federal government and enhanced its role in the economy, which had lasting effects on U.S. law and governance.

The other choices refer to different figures in U.S. legal history: John Jay was the first chief justice of the Supreme Court but served much earlier, Roger Taney is best known for his decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford but became chief justice later, and William Howard Taft served as chief justice in the early 20th century. Each of these figures had their own impacts on American law but did not serve during the critical years that defined John Marshall's influence.