Hugo Black

Date of Birth: February 27, 1886

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: September 25, 1971

Biography

Hugo Lafayette Black was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, serving from 1937 to 1971. Born in Harlan, Alabama, Black is one of the most influential justices in American history. Before his Supreme Court tenure, he was a U.S. Senator and a member of the Democratic Party. Known for his strong defense of civil liberties and his strict interpretation of the Constitution, Black played a crucial role in landmark decisions that shaped American law and society. Despite his early controversial association with the Ku Klux Klan, Black evolved into a staunch advocate for the First Amendment and civil rights. His tenure is notable for his unwavering commitment to judicial independence and his belief in the principle of “total incorporation” of the Bill of Rights.

5 Interesting Facts about Hugo Black

1. Hugo Black was a U.S. Senator from Alabama before being appointed to the Supreme Court by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

2. He was the fifth-longest serving justice in Supreme Court history, serving for 34 years.

3. Black was a member of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s, a fact that emerged during his Supreme Court confirmation hearings.

4. He was a proponent of the “incorporation doctrine,” which argued that the Bill of Rights should apply to the states via the Fourteenth Amendment.

5. Black played a pivotal role in the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education, which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hugo Black

1. “The First Amendment has erected a wall between church and state. That wall must be kept high and impregnable. We could not approve the slightest breach.”

2. “No higher duty, no more solemn responsibility, rests upon this Court than that of translating into living law and maintaining this constitutional shield deliberately planned and inscribed for the benefit of every human being subject to our Constitution—of whatever race, creed, or persuasion.”

3. “The Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill its essential role in our democracy.”

4. “A union of government and religion tends to destroy government and degrade religion.”

5. “Loyalty must arise spontaneously from the hearts of people who love their country and respect their government.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As a public servant, Hugo Black’s net worth was modest. His highest net worth is not publicly documented, but it is understood to be minimal given his long career in public service.