John Worth Edmonds, an American lawyer, born in Hudson, N. Y., March 13, 1799. He graduated at Union college in 1816, was admitted to the bar in 1819, and in 1820 commenced the practice of his profession in his native city. In 1831 he was a member of the lower branch of the legislature of New York, and for the four years ensuing of the senate and the court of errors. Retiring from the legislature in 1836, he was sent on special missions by the federal government among the Indians. In 1837 he resumed practice in New York. In 1843 he became one of the inspectors of the state prisons, and with the sanction of the legislature substituted for corporal coercion the system of kindness. In 1845 he was appointed one of the circuit judges of the state of New York, in 1847 was elevated to the bench of the supreme court, and in 1852 became a member of the court of appeals. At the close of 1853 he retired from the bench, and has since been engaged in the practice of his profession in New York. Early in 1851 he began to investigate the subject of alleged intercourse with the spirits of the departed, and in the summer of 1853 made a public avowal of his belief in the same.

In connection with George T. Dexter, M. D., he has published a work entitled " Spiritualism " (2 vols. 8vo, New York, 1858-'5; new ed., 1865). He has also published "Reports of Select Law Cases" (1868).