Stephen J. Field

Date of Birth: November 4, 1816

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: April 9, 1899

Biography

Stephen J. Field was an American jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1863 to 1897. Born in 1816 in Haddam, Connecticut, Field was the son of a prominent minister and was part of a large, influential family. After completing his education at Williams College, he studied law under his brother, David Dudley Field, a renowned lawyer in New York City. Stephen moved to California during the Gold Rush, where he quickly made a name for himself not only as a successful lawyer but also as a politician. He was instrumental in drafting California’s constitution and later became the state’s first Chief Justice before being appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Abraham Lincoln. On the Supreme Court, Field was known for his strong advocacy of individual property rights and his support of substantive due process. He played a crucial role in shaping American constitutional law during the latter half of the 19th century. His tenure remains one of the longest in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court.

5 Interesting Facts about Stephen J. Field

1. Stephen J. Field was the first Californian to be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

2. He served on the Supreme Court for 34 years, making his tenure one of the longest in history.

3. Field survived an assassination attempt by a disgruntled litigant named David Terry in 1889.

4. He was part of the famous Field family, which included his brother Cyrus West Field, who laid the first transatlantic telegraph cable.

5. Field was instrumental in the development of the legal doctrine of substantive due process, which protects certain fundamental rights from government interference.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Stephen J. Field

1. “The Constitution deals with substance, not shadows.”

2. “The design of the Constitution is to protect the people against the dangers of good intentions.”

3. “A government which recognizes no limits to its authority constitutes tyranny.”

4. “Liberty consists in the power of doing whatever the law permits.”

5. “The preservation of property rights is essential to the prosperity and welfare of a free people.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

There are no comprehensive records of Stephen J. Field’s net worth. However, as a Supreme Court Justice and a successful lawyer, he would have been relatively well-off for his time.