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 attended Harvard College and Harvard Law School, graduating with honors. He began his legal career in private practice and later served as general counsel for the Mayo Clinic from 1950 to 1959. In 1959, Blackmun was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Richard Nixon in 1970, where he became known for his judicial independence and meticulous attention to detail. Blackmun’s most famous opinion was in the landmark case Roe v. Wade (1973), where he authored the majority opinion that established a woman’s right to choose an abortion under the Fourteenth Amendment. Over his tenure, Blackmun evolved from a conservative to a more liberal position, particularly on issues of individual rights and social justice. He retired from the Supreme Court in 1994 and passed away in 1999.

5 Interesting Facts about Harry A. Blackmun

1. Harry Blackmun was a childhood friend of future Chief Justice Warren E. Burger.

2. He was the last Supreme Court justice appointed by President Richard Nixon.

3. Blackmun’s papers, which include drafts and notes on Roe v. Wade, were made public at the Library of Congress in 2004.

4. He was known for his painstakingly thorough approach to writing opinions, often working late into the night.

5. Blackmun was portrayed by actor Stewart Wallace in the film “Roe vs. Wade” (1989).

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harry A. Blackmun

1. “I no longer shall tinker with the machinery of death.”

2. “The right of privacy… is broad enough to encompass a woman’s decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy.”

3. “Poor Joshua!”

4. “It is not the function of our Government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the Government from falling into error.”

5. “The Constitution provides that the House may impeach, and the Senate may convict, the President of the United States.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Harry A. Blackmun’s net worth at the time of his death is not publicly documented, as Supreme Court Justices typically do not amass significant personal wealth from their judicial service. However, his net worth was likely modest compared to contemporary public figures, given his public service career.