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 Ashland, Alabama, Black initially pursued a career in law and politics. He attended the University of Alabama School of Law and began his legal practice in Birmingham. Before his tenure on the Supreme Court, he served as a U.S. Senator from Alabama from 1927 to 1937. A staunch New Deal supporter, Black was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. His tenure on the court was marked by his strong advocacy for civil liberties and the First Amendment. Black was known for his textualist approach to constitutional interpretation, emphasizing the literal meaning of the text.
5 Interesting Facts about Hugo Black
1. Hugo Black was a member of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s, a fact that was controversially revealed after his appointment to the Supreme Court.
2. He served on the Supreme Court for 34 years, making him one of the longest-serving justices in U.S. history.
3. Black was a key figure in the incorporation of the Bill of Rights, making its protections applicable to the states.
4. He was a staunch advocate for the separation of church and state.
5. Black was instrumental in the landmark case Gideon v. Wainwright (1963), which established the right to counsel for criminal defendants in state courts.
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.”
2. “No higher duty, or 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. “Our Constitution… is not self-destructive. Its makers did not intend to provide a means for its own destruction.”
4. “The layman’s constitutional view is that what he likes is constitutional and that which he doesn’t like is unconstitutional.”
5. “The Founders intended the Constitution to be interpreted strictly and not to be bent to fit the whims of current societal trends.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Hugo Black’s net worth was not publicly documented, but as a public servant, his wealth would not have been substantial compared to modern standards.
Children
Hugo Black had three children: Hugo Black Jr., an attorney; Sterling Foster Black, a legal scholar; and Martha Josephine Black.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia – Hugo Black](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Black
2. [Oyez – Hugo Black](https://www.oyez.org/justices/hugo_l_black
3. [History.com – Hugo Black](https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/hugo-black
4. [Britannica – Hugo Black](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hugo-Black
