Theodoric R. Westbrook

Theodoric Romeyn Westbrook
T. R. Westbrook, New York Congressman and Judge
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 11th district
In office March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855
Preceded by	Josiah Sutherland
Succeeded by	Rufus H. King
Justice of the New York Supreme Court
In office 1873–1885
Succeeded by	Alton B. Parker
Personal details
Born	(1821-11-20)November 20, 1821 Fishkill, New York, United States
Died	October 6, 1885(1885-10-06) (aged 63) Troy, New York, United States
Resting place	Wiltwyck Cemetery, Kingston, New York, United States
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Rutgers College

Theodoric Romeyn Westbrook (November 20, 1821 – October 6, 1885) was a U.S. Representative from New York.

Born in Fishkill, New York on November 20, 1821 (some sources indicate 1822), Westbrook attended the local schools and graduated from Rutgers College in 1838. He studied law with Abraham B. Hasbrouck and Marius Schoonmaker, was admitted to the bar in 1843, and commenced practice in Kingston, New York. Among the students who learned the law in Westbrook's office was Stephen Gardner Champlin.

Westbrook was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third Congress (March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855). He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1854, and resumed the practice of law.

During the American Civil War Westbrook supported the Union, and organized efforts to recruit, equip and train soldiers for the Union Army.

In 1873 Westbrook was elected a Justice of the New York Supreme Court. He served as a trustee of Rutgers College, and received the honorary degree of LL.D. in 1875.

Westbrook is most notable as the center of a scandal in which he was exposed for irregularities in the carrying out of his official duties. Having told financier Jay Gould that he would go to the limits of his authority to aid Gould's attempted takeover of the Manhattan Elevated Railway Company, Westbrook went so far as to conduct judicial proceedings in Gould's office.