Stephen Breyer

Date of Birth: August 15, 1938

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Biography

Stephen Gerald Breyer is an American legal luminary who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1994 until his retirement in 2022. Born in San Francisco, California, Breyer embarked on a remarkable academic journey, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University, a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oxford as a Marshall Scholar, and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Harvard Law School. His legal career began with a clerkship under Associate Justice Arthur Goldberg, followed by a tenure at Harvard Law School, where he taught administrative law and wrote textbooks that became seminal in the field. Breyer’s judicial career is marked by his pragmatic approach to constitutional law, often emphasizing the purpose and consequences of legal rules. He was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in 1980 by President Jimmy Carter and later ascended to the Supreme Court in 1994 upon nomination by President Bill Clinton. Throughout his tenure on the high court, Breyer became known for his moderate-liberal views, advocating for judicial restraint, and placing significant weight on the practical implications of the Court’s decisions.

5 Interesting Facts about Stephen Breyer

1. Stephen Breyer was a key figure in the development of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines during his time on the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

2. He is the author of several influential books, including “Active Liberty: Interpreting Our Democratic Constitution” and “Making Our Democracy Work: A Judge’s View.”

3. Breyer once worked as a special assistant to the United States Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust.

4. He has a reputation for being an advocate of using comparative law to inform decisions, often looking at how other countries handle similar legal issues.

5. Breyer is an avid cyclist and has often been spotted riding his bike around Washington, D.C.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Stephen Breyer

1. “Liberty requires order; order requires rules.”

2. “The Constitution is not a document frozen in time, but a living document that must be interpreted in light of the changing circumstances of society.”

3. “Judicial power must be exercised with humility and restraint.”

4. “Democracy is not a machine that runs by itself; it requires constant attention and active participation.”

5. “The law is not always black and white; it’s often a matter of balancing competing interests and values.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Stephen Breyer’s highest net worth has been estimated to be around $6 million.

Children

Stephen Breyer has three children: Chloe Breyer, an Episcopal priest and author; Nell Breyer, an artist and academic; and Michael Breyer, an attorney.