John Marshall Harlan

Date of Birth: June 1, 1833

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: October 14, 1911

Biography

John Marshall Harlan was an influential American jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1877 to 1911. Born into a prominent Kentucky family with a strong legal and political background, Harlan initially pursued a career in law and politics. He was known for his staunch defense of the Constitution and civil rights, particularly his dissenting opinions in cases that upheld racial segregation. Harlan’s most famous dissent was in the 1896 case of Plessy v. Ferguson, where he argued against the majority’s decision to uphold “separate but equal” facilities for different races. His legacy is celebrated for his forward-thinking views on equality and justice.

5 Interesting Facts about John Marshall Harlan

1. John Marshall Harlan was named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States.

2. He served in the Union Army during the American Civil War, reaching the rank of colonel.

3. Harlan was a staunch supporter of the Reconstruction Amendments, which aimed to establish equal rights for former slaves.

4. Despite his Southern background, Harlan was a strong advocate for civil rights and often found himself at odds with the majority opinions of his time.

5. He was known as “The Great Dissenter” for his numerous dissenting opinions that later gained recognition for their progressive views on civil rights.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Marshall Harlan

1. “Our Constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens.”

2. “The arbitrary separation of citizens, on the basis of race, while they are on a public highway, is a badge of servitude wholly inconsistent with the civil freedom and equality before the law established by the Constitution.”

3. “In the eye of the law, there is in this country no superior, dominant, ruling class of citizens. There is no caste here.”

4. “The humblest is the peer of the most powerful.”

5. “The law regards man as man, and takes no account of his surroundings or of his color when his civil rights as guaranteed by the supreme law of the land are involved.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

There is no historical data available on John Marshall Harlan’s net worth.

Children

John Marshall Harlan and his wife, Malvina French Shanklin, had six children. One of his sons, John Marshall Harlan II, followed in his footsteps and also became an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, serving from 1955 to 1971.