William Rawle (1759-1836)
William Rawle, of Philadelphia; U.S. District Attorney for Pennsylania
He was born at Philadelphia and received his legal education at the Middle Temple, London. He established what is today the oldest law firm in the United States, Rawle & Henderson LL.P. He was the well-educated and cultured U.S. District Attorney for Pennsylvania and an early philanthropist. A devoted Quaker, he was co-founder and President of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society. Washington admired him and offered him the post of U.S. Attorney-General but he declined that and all other attmepts to lure him into politics. He had twelve children and lived at the Powel House.