Portret van Christopher Columbus Langdell before 1875

This is an undated portrait of Christopher Columbus Langdell, made by an anonymous artist. As an elite academic, Langdell reformed legal education using the case method, which remains standard in law schools today. The portrait itself reflects the conventions of portraying powerful men of the time. Langdell is depicted in a suit, his gaze direct, embodying authority and intellect. Consider the historical context. Langdell's reforms coincided with a period of significant social and economic change. Legal education became more standardized, but also more exclusive. The case method privileged certain forms of reasoning and marginalized others. How might Langdell's reforms have impacted access to legal education for women and minorities? Whose voices were amplified, and whose were silenced? This portrait invites us to reflect on the relationship between law, power, and social justice, and asks us to consider the legacy of Langdell's vision in shaping the legal landscape we inhabit today.