John Marshall (September 24, 1755–July 6, 1835) was chief justice of the Supreme Court from 1801 until 1835. His opinions helped to determine future U.S. constitutional law and made the Supreme Court equal to the legislative and executive branches. Marshall had helped lead the Federalist Party in Virginia, served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1799 to 1800, and was secretary of state under President John Adams from 1800 to 1801.