Who was the second Chief Justice after John Marshall, based on historical records?

The second Chief Justice after John Marshall was Roger Taney. After Marshall's long tenure, which lasted from 1801 to 1835, Taney was appointed Chief Justice in 1836 and served until his retirement in 1864. Taney is most notably remembered for his role in the Dred Scott v. Sandford case, which had a significant impact on the legal landscape of the United States and intensified the national debate over slavery.

In contrast, John Jay served as the first Chief Justice of the United States, appointed in 1789, and he left office long before Taney's appointment. William Howard Taft was the only President to later become Chief Justice, but he served in the early 20th century, long after Taney. Warren Burger presided as Chief Justice from 1969 to 1986, which also places him in a different era compared to Taney's influence during the antebellum period. Thus, Taney's appointment directly follows Marshall in the historical timeline of Chief Justices.