Andrew Gordon Magrath earned an undergraduate degree from South Carolina College and pursued legal studies at Harvard Law School. He established a long-standing private practice in Charleston, punctuated by intermittent service in the South Carolina House of Representatives. Magrath transitioned to federal judicial service, where he made notable proslavery decisions. He later served in various capacities within the Confederate government, including as Governor of South Carolina, where he advocated for the state's defense. Following the Confederacy's defeat, he faced treason charges but was eventually released and returned to private law practice.

Andrew Gordon Magrath's judicial philosophy reveals a staunch defense of slavery, as evidenced by his proslavery rulings. His tenure in Confederate service highlights a complex stance: prioritizing state defense over broader Confederate interests while still demanding more troops for South Carolina. Magrath's actions after the Confederacy's collapse, including his arrest for treason, underscore a persistent commitment to his regional and ideological convictions.