Benjamin N. Cardozo

Date of Birth: May 24, 1870

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: July 9, 1938

Biography

Benjamin Nathan Cardozo was an influential American jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1932 until his death in 1938. Born in New York City, Cardozo hailed from a distinguished Sephardic Jewish family with deep roots in American history. He was known for his distinctively clear and elegant writing style, as well as his profound contributions to the development of American common law, particularly in the areas of torts and contracts. Prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court, Cardozo served on the New York Court of Appeals, where he became Chief Judge in 1927. His work there cemented his reputation as one of the most respected and influential judges in the United States. Cardozo’s judicial philosophy emphasized the importance of evolving legal standards to meet the changing needs of society. He was a proponent of judicial restraint but also believed that judges should not shy away from making decisions that reflect contemporary social values. His tenure on the Supreme Court, though relatively brief, was marked by significant opinions that continue to be cited in legal arguments and decisions to this day.

5 Interesting Facts about Benjamin N. Cardozo

1. Benjamin Cardozo was one of the first Jewish justices to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

2. He graduated from Columbia Law School without receiving an undergraduate degree, which was unusual for the time.

3. Cardozo was known for his philosophy of “sociological jurisprudence,” which emphasized the role of law in shaping social policy.

4. He never married and dedicated his life to his legal career and the care of his sister, Nellie.

5. Cardozo’s opinion in the case of Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad Co. is one of the most famous and frequently cited tort law cases in American legal history.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Benjamin N. Cardozo

1. “The final cause of law is the welfare of society.”

2. “Justice is not to be taken by storm. She is to be wooed by slow advances.”

3. “The great generalities of the Constitution have a content and a significance that vary from age to age.”

4. “The law does not concern itself with trifles.”

5. “Laws are not to be understood as a set of rules imposed upon a community from without, but rather as the expression of the life of the community itself.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While exact figures for historical figures like Benjamin N. Cardozo are not available, his net worth would have been modest by today’s standards, reflecting a career in public service rather than in private practice or business.