William J. Brennan, Jr.

Date of Birth: April 25, 1906

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: July 24, 1997

Biography

William Joseph Brennan, Jr. was born on April 25, 1906, in Newark, New Jersey. He was a distinguished Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, serving from 1956 to 1990. Brennan’s judicial philosophy was characterized by his strong support for individual rights and his belief in the living Constitution, which posits that the interpretation of the Constitution should evolve over time to meet the needs of contemporary society. Brennan graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1928 and went on to earn his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1931. He then entered private practice in New Jersey before serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, Brennan returned to private practice and later served on the New Jersey Superior Court and the New Jersey Supreme Court. In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed him to the U.S. Supreme Court. During his 34 years on the Supreme Court, Brennan became known as a champion of civil rights, free speech, and the right to privacy. He authored numerous landmark opinions, including decisions on issues such as the First Amendment, civil liberties, and the equal protection clause. Brennan retired from the Supreme Court in 1990 and continued to be an influential figure in legal circles until his death.

5 Interesting Facts about William J. Brennan, Jr.

1. Brennan was one of the longest-serving justices in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court, serving for 34 years.

2. He was known for his emphasis on the “living Constitution,” which allows for a more flexible interpretation of the Constitution over time.

3. Brennan played a key role in the landmark case of Baker v. Carr (1962), which established the principle of “one person, one vote.”

4. He was a staunch advocate of the First Amendment and wrote the majority opinion in the landmark case New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964), which established important protections for freedom of the press.

5. Despite being appointed by a Republican president, Brennan was considered one of the most liberal justices on the Court.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from William J. Brennan, Jr.

1. “The genius of the Constitution rests not in any static meaning it might have had in a world that is dead and gone, but in the adaptability of its great principles to cope with current problems and current needs.”

2. “We current Justices read the Constitution in the only way that we can: as Twentieth Century Americans.”

3. “If there is a fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion.”

4. “The First Amendment is often inconvenient. But that is besides the point. Inconvenience does not absolve the government of its obligation to tolerate speech.”

5. “Death is not only an unusually severe punishment, unusual in its pain, in its finality, and in its enormity, but it serves no penal purpose more effectively than a less severe punishment.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As a public servant and judge, Brennan’s career was not focused on accumulating personal wealth. His highest net worth is not publicly documented, but it is understood that his financial status was modest, reflecting his long career in public service.

Children

William J. Brennan, Jr. had three children with his first wife, Marjorie Leonard: William III, Nancy, and Hugh. After Marjorie’s death in 1982, Brennan remarried Mary Fowler, but they did not have any children together.