Harry A. Blackmun

Date of Birth: November 12, 1908

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: March 4, 1999

Biography

Harry A. Blackmun was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, serving from 1970 until his retirement in 1994. Born in Nashville, Illinois, and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, Blackmun pursued higher education at Harvard College and Harvard Law School. His early career included clerking for Judge John B. Sanborn of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and practicing law in Minneapolis. He also served as resident counsel for the Mayo Clinic. Blackmun is perhaps best known for authoring the majority opinion in the landmark case Roe v. Wade in 1973, which legalized abortion nationwide. His tenure on the Supreme Court saw him initially perceived as a conservative, but over time his decisions increasingly reflected a more liberal stance, particularly on issues of individual rights and social justice.

5 Interesting Facts about Harry A. Blackmun

1. Harry Blackmun was a lifelong friend of Chief Justice Warren E. Burger; the two attended the same kindergarten, grade school, high school, and college.

2. Despite his conservative beginnings, Blackmun’s judicial philosophy evolved significantly during his tenure, particularly in areas of civil rights and liberties.

3. Blackmun’s papers, which he meticulously kept, were made public by the Library of Congress five years after his death, providing significant insights into the inner workings of the Supreme Court.

4. He was known for his detailed and personal approach to his judicial opinions, often including personal anecdotes and reflections.

5. Blackmun was the last Supreme Court Justice appointed by President Richard Nixon.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harry A. Blackmun

1. “I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description [‘hard-core pornography’]; and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it.” – Jacobellis v. Ohio (1964)

2. “Poor Joshua!” – DeShaney v. Winnebago County (1989), expressing his sorrow in a powerful dissent.

3. “I am not generally regarded as a compassionate man, but the opposite is true. I am filled with compassion for those who must suffer.”

4. “It is revolting to have no better reason for a rule of law than that so it was laid down in the time of Henry IV.” – Dissent in Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992)

5. “I feel strongly that those who have power and influence over others are accountable for their actions.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Harry A. Blackmun’s highest net worth is not publicly disclosed, as Supreme Court Justices typically do not accrue significant wealth from their judicial roles, and their finances are not a matter of public record in the same way as private individuals.