David Souter, Former Supreme Court Justice and Abortion Rights Supporter, Dies at 85
Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter has passed away at the age of 85. He died peacefully at his home in Weare, New Hampshire, the place where he was born and where he quietly spent much of his life. While he rarely sought the public eye, Souter’s impact on the nation’s highest court was profound and lasting.
Who Was David Souter?
David Hackett Souter was born on September 17, 1939, to a banker father and a homemaker mother. A gifted student, he graduated with honors from Harvard, studied at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, and then returned to Harvard for his law degree. After building his legal career in New Hampshire, he served as attorney general and later as a judge on both the state’s Superior and Supreme Courts.
In 1990, President George H. W. Bush nominated him to the U.S. Supreme Court. At the time, many conservatives were confident that Souter would align with their views. He had a quiet background and little was known about his judicial philosophy, earning him the nickname “stealth nominee.”
But as time would prove, Souter defied expectations.
Why Did Conservatives Feel Let Down?
Though appointed by a Republican president, Souter often sided with the Court’s liberal wing. He believed in judicial restraint and the power of precedent. His most well-known moment came in 1992, when he joined the majority in Planned Parenthood v. Casey. This ruling reaffirmed the right to abortion established in Roe v. Wade and introduced the “undue burden” standard for evaluating abortion laws. The decision deeply disappointed conservatives hoping to overturn Roe.
Souter also dissented in Bush v. Gore, the case that effectively ended the 2000 presidential election recount in Florida. In his opinion, he argued there was no reason to stop the vote count, even though it led to the presidency of George W. Bush — the son of the president who had appointed him.
What Was Souter Like Outside the Courtroom?
Unlike many public figures, Souter didn’t crave attention. He never married, lived a quiet life, and drove a Volkswagen to work. His lunch was famously simple — an apple and a container of yogurt. He didn’t give interviews and avoided cameras. In fact, he once said cameras would be allowed in the Supreme Court “over my dead body.”
His retirement in 2009 opened the door for President Barack Obama to appoint Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic justice on the Supreme Court. At that time, Obama called Souter “fair-minded and independent,” praising his compassion and commitment to principle over politics.
What Did Souter Stand For?
Throughout his nearly 20-year tenure, Souter stood for integrity, judicial independence, and a deep respect for the Constitution. He wasn’t interested in political gain. Instead, he focused on fairness and the role of the Court in protecting public trust.
He once warned that reversing well-established rulings could damage the Court’s credibility. This belief shaped his decisions, especially in controversial cases. Even when it meant breaking with those who expected him to vote differently, Souter stayed true to what he thought was right.
Why Will He Be Missed?
Chief Justice John Roberts said it best:
“He brought uncommon wisdom and kindness to a lifetime of public service. He will be greatly missed.”
David Souter may not have been the loudest voice on the bench, but his legacy is undeniable. A quiet man with strong convictions, he showed that real strength sometimes lies in restraint — and that staying true to one’s values matters more than pleasing a political party.
In a world often defined by noise and division, Justice Souter’s calm, principled approach is something we’ll remember for a long time.
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