The Unexpected Journey of David Souter, The Supreme Court's Quiet Rebel

David Souter, a man known for his quiet demeanor and simple tastes, passed away at his New Hampshire home at the age of 85. His journey to the Supreme Court was unexpected, and his time there was marked by surprises, especially for those who had hoped he would be a reliable conservative vote. Souter's story is one of a person who defied expectations and left a lasting impact on the court and the country. When President George H. W. Bush appointed Souter in 1990, many conservatives saw him as a safe bet. After all, he was a relatively unknown figure from New England, and his confirmation by the Senate was swift and overwhelming, with a 90-9 vote. But Souter had other plans. He quickly showed that he was not the conservative vote they had hoped for. Instead, he aligned himself with more liberal justices on key issues like abortion, the death penalty, and LGBTQ rights. Souter's personal life was as unassuming as his judicial demeanor. He was a lifelong bachelor who preferred the simple life in New Hampshire over the glamour of Washington. He was known to enjoy a frugal lunch of yogurt and an entire apple, core and all. This simplicity extended to his judicial philosophy, which was marked by a commitment to moderation and a reluctance to make sweeping changes. One of Souter's most significant legacies was the impact he had on conservative legal activists. His appointment served as a wake-up call for those who vowed to ensure that future Republican presidents would not appoint another justice who was not properly vetted. The rallying cry "No more Souters" echoed through conservative circles, leading to a more careful selection process for Supreme Court nominees. Souter's influence on the court was profound. He was part of the majority in the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which upheld the core of Roe v. Wade, the landmark abortion rights ruling. This decision was a major disappointment for conservatives who had hoped that the case would lead to Roe v. Wade being overturned. It would take another 30 years for the court, with a more reliable conservative majority, to finally overturn Roe. Souter's judicial career was marked by several notable decisions. In 2000, he dissented in the Bush v. Gore case, which stopped the vote recount in Florida and ensured that George W. Bush became president. This decision highlighted Souter's commitment to his principles, even when they differed from those of his political allies. In 2009, at the age of 69, Souter chose to step down from the Supreme Court and return to New Hampshire. His decision to leave during President Barack Obama's term allowed a Democratic president to replace him, underscoring his shift to the liberal bloc. Obama appointed Justice Sonia Sotomayor to fill Souter's seat, making her the first Latina to serve on the court. Born in Massachusetts, Souter's academic journey was impressive. He earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from Harvard and was also a Rhodes scholar at Oxford University. Before his appointment to the Supreme Court, he served as a lawyer, New Hampshire's attorney general, and a state judge. His journey to the highest court in the land was marked by a commitment to public service and a dedication to his principles.