Samuel Freeman Miller

Date of Birth: April 5, 1816

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: October 13, 1890

Biography

Samuel Freeman Miller was an influential Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, serving from 1862 to 1890. Born in Richmond, Kentucky, Miller was initially a practicing physician before turning to law. He graduated from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, and later pursued a successful legal career in Iowa. Appointed by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, Miller was known for his strong support of federal power and his firm stance on civil rights. His tenure on the Supreme Court was marked by significant decisions that helped shape the course of American legal history, particularly in the post-Civil War era.

5 Interesting Facts about Samuel Freeman Miller

1. Samuel Freeman Miller originally trained and practiced as a physician before switching to law in 1847.

2. He was a staunch Unionist during the Civil War, which influenced his judicial philosophy and decisions.

3. Miller was an advocate for the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment and played a key role in interpreting its scope.

4. He was one of the longest-serving justices on the Supreme Court, with a tenure spanning 28 years.

5. His opinions often reflected his belief in a strong federal government to protect civil rights and liberties.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Samuel Freeman Miller

1. “The Constitution was made for the people and not the people for the Constitution.”

2. “The power of taxation is the one great power upon which the whole national fabric is based.”

3. “The liberties of none are safe unless the liberties of all are protected.”

4. “A constitution is not to be made to mean one thing at one time, and another at some subsequent time when its meaning may be inconvenient.”

5. “It is the duty of the courts to be watchful for the constitutional rights of the citizen, and against any stealthy encroachments thereon.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

There is no reliable information available on the net worth of Samuel Freeman Miller during his lifetime. As a 19th-century Supreme Court Justice, his financial achievements were not documented in a manner comparable to modern public figures.