Harry A. Blackmun Quotes

A collection of quotes by Harry A. Blackmun.

Harry A. Blackmun (1908-1999) was an American judge, best known for his tenure on the United States Supreme Court. He was born in Nashville, Illinois, and developed a passion for law during his college years at Harvard University, where he graduated in 1932. Blackmun went on to earn his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1935.

After serving in various legal positions, including as a clerk for a Supreme Court justice, Blackmun was appointed to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1959. He served as an appellate judge for 14 years before being nominated to the Supreme Court by President Richard Nixon in 1970.

During his 24 years on the Supreme Court, Blackmun was known for his moderate and often liberal judicial philosophy. He authored several notable opinions, including the majority opinion in the landmark case Roe v. Wade (1973), which established a woman's constitutional right to abortion. Blackmun's other significant decisions included support for affirmative action and expanding the rights of criminal defendants.

Blackmun retired from the Supreme Court in 1994, after which he continued to advocate for causes he believed in, such as abolishing the death penalty. He passed away on March 4, 1999, leaving behind a legacy marked by his commitment to individual rights and civil liberties.