Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter has passed away at the age of 85. He died at his home in New Hampshire on Thursday. Souter was nominated to the Supreme Court by President George H. W. Bush in 1990, with expectations that he would be a strong conservative voice. However, during his nearly two decades on the bench, he often sided with the more liberal justices on key issues.
Souter was known for his unexpected decisions, particularly in cases related to affirmative action, gay rights, and the death penalty. His confirmation hearings hinted at his more progressive leanings, especially when he expressed support for the right to privacy established in previous court rulings.
Souter was a Rhodes Scholar and graduated from Harvard Law School before serving as Attorney General of New Hampshire. His legal career took a significant turn when he joined the Supreme Court, where he made notable contributions to landmark decisions. For instance, he played a crucial role in reaffirming a woman’s right to choose in the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey, stating that overturning Roe v. Wade would undermine the court’s legitimacy.
Despite his Republican nomination, Souter’s legacy is often viewed as one of a liberal justice. Constitutional scholar John O. McGinnis remarked that Souter’s time on the court was marked by surprising decisions rather than a clear jurisprudential philosophy.
Souter retired in 2009, paving the way for President Barack Obama to appoint Justice Sonia Sotomayor. His death marks the end of a significant chapter in American legal history, reflecting the unpredictable nature of judicial appointments and the evolving landscape of the Supreme Court.