William F. Giles

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William Fell Giles (April 8, 1807 – March 21, 1879) was an American lawyer, politician, and judge from Maryland. He served as a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives for Maryland’s 4th district from March 4, 1845, to March 3, 1847, and he did not seek re-election.

Giles practiced law in Baltimore at various times between 1829 and 1853. He was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates in 1838 and 1840. He spent more than 30 years with the American Colonization Society and worked for over 20 years supervising the emigration of free Blacks to Liberia.

In 1853, President Franklin Pierce gave him a recess appointment to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, filling the seat left by John Glenn. He was formally nominated in December 1853 and confirmed by the Senate on January 11, 1854. He served as a judge until his death on March 21, 1879, in Baltimore, and was buried at Green Mount Cemetery.

Giles issued the original writ of habeas corpus in Ex parte Merryman.