Final answer:
John Marshall, the chief justice of the Supreme Court from 1801 to 1835, wrote the opinion in the Marbury case, establishing the principle of judicial review in Marbury v. Madison. His decision avoided direct conflict with President Jefferson while affirming the judiciary's authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chief justice of the Supreme Court who wrote the opinion in the Marbury case was John Marshall. Marshall served as chief justice from 1801 to 1835 and is perhaps best known for establishing the principle of judicial review in the landmark case, Marbury v. Madison (1803). This principle gave the Supreme Court the power to declare acts of Congress or the executive branch unconstitutional, thus reinforcing the independence of the judiciary and its role in the checks and balances within the U.S. government.
During Marshall's tenure, the Supreme Court's authority was strengthened as he asserted its role in guiding national policy and public opinion. The case of Marbury v. Madison highlighted the conflict between incoming President Thomas Jefferson and the Federalists.
It centered on William Marbury's right to a legal remedy for not receiving his commission as justice of the peace. Despite sympathy for Marbury, Marshall's decision was well-crafted, avoiding direct confrontation with President Jefferson while simultaneously affirming the authority of the judiciary.