Lewis F. Powell Jr.

Profession: Supreme Court Justice

Nationality:

Biography: Lewis F. Powell Jr. was an American lawyer and jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Powell made notable contributions with the Powell Memorandum and his judgments on landmark Supreme Court cases like Roe v. Wade and Regents of the University of California v. Bakke.

Powell earned his reputation in legal circles with a Phi Beta Kappa recognition at Washington and Lee University and an LL.M. from Harvard Law School. His career took a turn when he joined and eventually chaired the law firm Hunton & Williams.

During World War II, Powell served as an Intelligence officer in the Army Air Forces in various theaters, including North Africa and Sicily. His military service, which included involvement in the Ultra project, earned him several commendations.

In his community, Powell made his mark as the chair of the Richmond School Board amid desegregation efforts after Brown v. Board of Education and later as the chairman of the Virginia Board of Education.

The 1971 Powell Memorandum, commissioned by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, had a profound impact on American political ideology. It served as a strategic guide for conservatives, leading to the formation of influential think tanks and lobbying groups that reshaped corporate involvement in politics.

Powell's tenure on the Supreme Court was the height of his legal career. Appointed by President Nixon, he was involved in several pivotal cases, notably as the swing vote. His balanced approach and sometimes-regretful reflections on decisions like Bowers v. Hardwick demonstrated his complex views.

Powell retired from the Supreme Court and was succeeded by Anthony Kennedy. Even in retirement, he continued to participate in public functions, including swearing in Douglas Wilder as governor. Powell passed away in 1998 and was buried in Richmond's Hollywood Cemetery.

Born: September 19, 1907
Birthplace: Suffolk, Virginia, USA

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Goat/Sheep
Star Sign: Virgo

Died: August 25, 1998 (aged 90)