Byron White

Date of Birth: June 8, 1917

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: April 15, 2002

Biography

Byron Raymond “Whizzer” White was an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, known for his significant contributions to American jurisprudence. Born on June 8, 1917, in Fort Collins, Colorado, White was an accomplished scholar and athlete before embarking on a distinguished legal career. White attended the University of Colorado, where he excelled academically and athletically, earning the nickname “Whizzer” for his prowess on the football field. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1938 and went on to attend the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, White attended Yale Law School, graduating magna cum laude in 1946. He briefly worked in private practice before serving as Deputy Attorney General under Robert F. Kennedy in the early 1960s. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy nominated White to the Supreme Court, where he served until his retirement in 1993. Justice White was known for his pragmatic approach to the law and his moderate stances on many issues. He played a crucial role in several landmark cases, including Roe v. Wade, where he dissented, arguing against the Court’s decision to legalize abortion. White passed away on April 15, 2002, in Denver, Colorado.

5 Interesting Facts about Byron White

1. Byron White was the first Supreme Court Justice to have been awarded a Rhodes Scholarship.

2. Before his legal career, White was a professional football player for the Pittsburgh Pirates (now Steelers) and the Detroit Lions.

3. He was the leading rusher in the National Football League (NFL) in 1938.

4. White served as a clerk for Chief Justice Fred M. Vinson before entering private practice.

5. He was one of the two dissenters in the landmark case Roe v. Wade in 1973.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Byron White

1. “The law embodies the story of a nation’s development through many centuries.”

2. “The Constitution is not a panacea for every blot upon the public welfare.”

3. “To my mind, the Constitution does not compel a state to permit abortion on demand.”

4. “There is no constitutional right to an abortion.”

5. “I have always believed that the Constitution should be interpreted in a way that reflects the values of the society it serves.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Byron White was not publicly disclosed, but as a Supreme Court Justice, his salary would have been commensurate with that of a high-ranking public official.