Harry Blackmun

Full Name: Harry Andrew Blackmun
Profession: Lawyer and Jurist

Nationality:

Biography: Harry Blackmun was an American lawyer and jurist. He served as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court from 1970 to 1994, appointed by President Richard Nixon. Notably liberal in his later years, he authored the majority opinion in Roe v. Wade.

His legal career began in Minnesota, where he practiced law and served as counsel for the Mayo Clinic before being appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit by President Dwight Eisenhower. He retired during President Bill Clinton's administration, succeeded by Stephen Breyer.

Blackmun was raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He attended Harvard University and Harvard Law School. Post-graduation, he returned to Minnesota for various legal positions. He clerked for Judge John B. Sanborn Jr. before joining the Eighth Circuit. He became Supreme Court Associate Justice in 1970 after Nixon's previous nominees were rejected by the Senate.

As a justice, Blackmun began with conservative expectations but evolved toward liberal interpretations of constitutional rights. His early alignment with Chief Justice Warren E. Burger weakened, evolving into a voting alliance with more liberal justices.

Blackmun became a staunch defender of abortion rights, pivotal in the landmark Roe v. Wade case and subsequently in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, reinforcing the significance of a woman's right to choose.

Blackmun's later years on the bench were marked by a growing opposition to the death penalty and the advancement of individual rights in cases like Bowers v. Hardwick. In DeShaney v. Winnebago County, his dissent emphasized the state's role in protecting individuals from harm. He was also influential in shaping legal perspectives on women's equality through opinions like Stanton v. Stanton.

His clerks, some of whom became notable legal scholars, played a significant role in his opinion drafts. Blackmun maintained a complex relationship with his colleagues, showing both camaraderie and conflict, as evidenced by interactions with Clarence Thomas and Potter Stewart.

After retiring, Blackmun remained active, receiving the Jefferson Awards' Senator John Heinz Award for public service and performing a cameo in Steven Spielberg's Amistad (1997). His health declined following a fall and hip surgery, leading to his death in 1999.

Born: November 12, 1908
Birthplace: Nashville, Illinois, USA

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
Star Sign: Scorpio

Died: March 4, 1999 (aged 90)