David Hoffman and the Science of Jurisprudence
Legislation Authorizing a Lottery for the Law Institute, 1813
From the Laws of Maryland, vol. 5., chapter 125, secs. 5 & 6 of 1813. The bill authorizes the use of lottery
revenues by the University of Maryland to fund the school and to establish
programs at the University of Maryland. Both David Hoffman and his father,
Peter Hoffman, are listed as managers of the lottery and of the funds
generated. A second bill in 1825 would authorize the use of lottery money
to erect a building and establish a library for the "Professor of Law."
The library that Hoffman purchased, much of it with his own money,
would eventually be the cause of a law suit brought against Hoffman by
the University Trustees.
