Lewis F. Powell, Jr.

Date of Birth: September 19, 1907

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: August 25, 1998

Biography

Lewis F. Powell, Jr. was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, serving from 1972 until 1987. Born in Suffolk, Virginia, Powell was a highly respected lawyer before his appointment to the bench. He attended Washington and Lee University and later Harvard Law School, where he honed his legal acumen. During World War II, Powell served in the United States Army Air Forces, achieving the rank of Colonel. After the war, he returned to Richmond, Virginia, where he practiced law and became known for his work on civil rights and educational issues. Powell’s tenure on the Supreme Court was marked by his moderate and pragmatic approach to the law. He was known for his swing votes in many critical cases, including those involving affirmative action and the death penalty. Powell retired from the Supreme Court in 1987 and spent his later years in Virginia until his death in 1998.

5 Interesting Facts about Lewis F. Powell, Jr.

1. Lewis Powell was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and graduated first in his class from Washington and Lee University.

2. He served as the Chairman of the Richmond School Board, where he played a significant role in the desegregation of public schools in Richmond.

3. Powell was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Richard Nixon on October 21, 1971.

4. He wrote the majority opinion in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, a landmark case on affirmative action.

5. Powell was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Lewis F. Powell, Jr.

1. “Equal justice under law is not merely a caption on the facade of the Supreme Court building, it is perhaps the most inspiring ideal of our society.”

2. “It is the proudest boast of our society that we have a government of laws and not of men.”

3. “The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.”

4. “A constitution is not meant to be a fastidious legal document but a practical instrument of government.”

5. “The First Amendment was designed to protect offensive speech, because nobody ever tries to ban the other kind.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Lewis F. Powell, Jr. did not achieve significant personal wealth; his net worth is not well-documented, as his career was primarily in public service and law.