Horace H. Lurton #61 (1844-1914) & Charles Evans Hughes #62 (1862-1948)
Horace H. Lurton #61 (1844-1914) Lurton was nominated to the court by William Howard Taft.
He also nominated Charles Evans hughes #62 (1862-1948) Lurton was from Kentucky, attended Cumberland Law and served in the Confederate States of America. He was captured twice and often told a white lie that Lincoln paroled him because of fervent pleas from his mother. Lurton served but a short time on the Court and died after 4 years of service of a heart attack. His autograph is a hard find. Besides what was he doing in Atlantic City, NJ when he died….gambling wasn’t yet legal there.
William O. Douglas. #79 (1939-1975)
On May 17, 1962 Douglas writes a letter in which miss Carrol becomes dearest Carrol. The letter is written on unclassified rag paper but is mailed in the confines of the envelope prepared by the United States Supreme Court.
Also included on the board is a picture of Justice Douglas in his robe.
Earl Warren #88 (1953-1969)
Earl Warren, 14th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Warren was nominated as Chief Justice by President Eisenhower who was later to have said that it was the dumbest decision of hie entire life. (“D “ day was pretty extreme.). Warren in the space of 16 years with the help of 16 Justices changed the face of America. In the board here is a letter written by Warren as California’s republican Governor.
John Paul Stevens #101 (1920-2019)
Justice John Paul Stevens #101 (1920-2019) Justice Stevens was nominated to the Court by President Gerald Ford and subsequently served on the Court for the next 35 years. Stevens attended Northwestern Law and graduated first in his class. Thereafter Stevens served as a clerk for Supreme Court Associate Justice Wiley Rutledge. Stevens autographs an undated chambers card.
George Sutherland #70 (1862-1942)
Sutherland was born in Buckinghamshire, England and was brought by his parents to America. More specifically he was brought to Utah. There his parents joined the Church of Later-Day Saints and later removed themselves from that membership. He attended BYU and Michigan law. Sutherland was nominated to the Court by Warren G. Harding and no voice was heard to object. ( Sutherland was the last LDS member to represent Utah in the Senate.)
Hugo Black #76 (1886-1971)
Hugo Black was Franklin Roosevelts first selection to go to the Supreme Court. A State Senator and he had been so for 10 years. He supported Roosevelts “New Dear” It wasn’t an easy selection but the fight realized a successful result. Out of the skirmish a strict constructionist was born and, in that manner, Black earned the respect of all that second guessed him and predicted his performance.
John Paul Stevens #101 (1920 – 2019)
John Paul Stevens #101 (1920 – 2019) in modern day he served longer than the great majority of the Justices. Only 6 men have eclipsed 34 years of service. William O. Douglas has the record on the Court, as he holds most all records: he remained on the Court for 36 years 209 days.
Potter Stewart #92 (1915-1985)
Potter Stewart #92 (1915-1985) Potter is an unusual first name. you probably remember it, if at all because you identified this Justice with that name. Stewart was nominated to the Court. In 1941 President Eisenhower and he performed thereafter, for nearly 23 years. during the Warren Court Stewart disagreed with the court on many issues where most remain law. Miranda v Arizona /and the recently reversed roe v wade but wrote many criminal decisions such as Katz v United States and Chimel v California both 4th Amendment cases.
Anthony Kennedy #104 (1936- )
Kennedy was born into a lawyer family whose principal practice was Sacramento, California. After graduating from Harvard Law Kennedy took over his father’s law practice in Sacramento, California. Growing up in the State Capitol Kennedy came into contact with such people as Ronald Reagan the nominating President and past Governor of California and Earl Warren the past Governor of California. he taught constitutional law at McGeorge School of Law first helmed by Superior Court Judge Gordon G. Schaber.
Byron White #93 (1917-2002)
Byron White #93 (1917-2002) was nominated to the supreme court by president John Fitzgerald Kennedy. They met in England as Kennedy’s father was Ambassador to Great Britain and White was attending school as a Rhodes Scholar. They both had things in common and became good friends. White signs a first day cover commemorating the 33rd signor of the Declaration of Independence Caesar Rodney postmarked July 1, 1976.
Henry B. Brown #52 (1836-1913)
Justice Henry B. Brown #52 (1836-1913) on May 18, 1896 the United States Supreme Court rendered its decision in the case of: Homer Adolph Plessy v J. H. Ferguson
Homer Plessy boarded a East Louisiana railway train on June 7, 1892. Plessy was a racially mixed shoemaker who with help from a New Orleans civil rights organization designed to challenge the law by purchasing a ticket in a white’s only car. He boarded and was asked if he was “colored” (he was 7/8’s white.) He replied yes but refused to retire to the ‘colored car’.
William Henry Moody #60 (1853-1917) & William R. Day #59 (1849-1923)
Justice Moody was one who held positions in all three branches of government. Moody and his family all came to Massachusetts from England as puritans
William R. Day #59 (1849-1923). Justice day was from Ohio and graduated from Michigan law. Day was selected to negotiate the end of the Spanish American War.
Samuel Miller #36 (1816-1890), Joseph P Bradly #41 (1813- 1892), Stephen J. Field #38 (1816-1899), Stanley Matthews #46 (1824-1889)
There are 4 Justices on this board:
Samuel Miller #36 (1816-1890): Nominated by Lincoln
Joseph P. Bradley #41 (1813- 1892): Nominated by Lincoln
Stephen J. Field #38 (1816-1899): Nominated by Lincoln
Stanley Matthews #46 (1824-1889): Nominated by Garfield
Owen Roberts #74 (1875-1955)
Owen Roberts #74 (1875-1955) accepted a Justices prerogative. He changed a vote that had far reaching implications. Roberts was nominated by Herbert Hoover so Roberts aversion to the “new deal” proposed by President Roosevelt was perhaps a knee-jerk reaction. Roosevelt thought the Supreme Court was old and needed help to render decisions so he suggested expanding the size of the Court.
Charles Evans Hughes #62 (1862-1948)
Charles Evans Hughes was selected by William Howard Taft to be the 62nd Justice of the Supreme Court. He was approved by acclamation. So he became Justice of the Supreme Court on October 10, 1910. Six years later this Justice resigned in an effort to become President. Hughes lost this attempt.
William Rehnquist #100 (1924-2005)
Woodbury was obsessive about his studies and passed Dartmouth in 1809. Woodbury learned law the old fashioned way … He read it and was admitted to the Bar in 1812.
He supported Andrew Jackson. With Jackson as President Woodbury was named by Jackson Secretary of the Navy. In 1841 he served as Secretary of the Treasury. He lost that position with a change in power and he returned to the Senate as State Ssenator, President Polk took office and Woodbury was nominated to the Supreme Ccourt
Levi Woodbury #30 (1789 – 1851)
Woodbury was obsessive about his studies and passed Dartmouth in 1809. Woodbury learned law the old fashioned was ,,, He read it and was admitted to the bar in 1812.
Samuel Nelson #29 (1782-1873) Levi Woodbury #30 (1789-1851)
Nelson was born in New York the product of Scottish Irish immigrants. Nelson read law in a law firm. President John Tyler nominated Nelson to the Supreme Court. Nelson supported the Dred Scott decision written by Chief Taney. He was outspoken on Lincolns decisions reference slavery but supported the Union.
Levi Woodbury! If you wish to become a Supreme Court Justice you serve as Secretary of the Navy or Secretary of the Treasury. Woodbury did all the above. Woodbury filled the seat left vacant by Justice Story.
Tom C. Clark #86 (1899-1977)
Justice Tom C. Clark #86 (1899-1977) Clark was nominated by Harry S. Truman and is the singular Justice over time from Texas. He retired after nearly eighteen years on the bench so he wouldn’t be faced with a conflict when his son Ramsey Clark was to be appointed Attorney General by President Lyndon.
Stanley Matthews #46 (1824-1889) Horace Gray #47 (1828-1902)
Matthews attended school with the President that nominated him, Rutherford Hayes. No action was taken…the nomination died he later, was nominated to the court by James A. Garfield. Matthews was confirmed by the senate 24 votes to 23. Matthews autographs a slip of paper noting he is an Associate Justice.
Horace Gray enrolled at Harvard at 13. He attended Harvard Law and admitted to the bar in 1851. The board presents likenesses of both men by print and photo. Gray notes, he is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.