William Rehnquist

Date of Birth: October 1, 1924

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: September 3, 2005

Biography

William Hubbs Rehnquist was an influential American jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and later as the 16th Chief Justice of the United States. Rehnquist was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and showed an early interest in law and government. He graduated from Stanford University with both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in political science. He later earned a law degree from Stanford Law School, where he graduated first in his class. Rehnquist began his legal career by clerking for Justice Robert H. Jackson of the Supreme Court. He then moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he practiced law and became active in Republican politics. In 1971, President Richard Nixon nominated Rehnquist to the Supreme Court as an Associate Justice, a position he held until 1986 when President Ronald Reagan nominated him to become Chief Justice. Rehnquist’s tenure as Chief Justice was marked by a conservative shift in the Court’s decisions, often focusing on federalism and states’ rights. Rehnquist served on the Supreme Court for a total of 33 years, making significant contributions to American jurisprudence before his death in 2005.

5 Interesting Facts about William Rehnquist

1. William Rehnquist was colorblind, a condition that influenced his choice of black judicial robes with gold stripes on the sleeves.

2. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II as a weather observer in North Africa.

3. Rehnquist was known for his strong stance on federalism and frequently voted to limit the power of the federal government in favor of states’ rights.

4. He authored several notable opinions, including the majority opinion in “Bush v. Gore,” which effectively decided the 2000 presidential election.

5. Rehnquist was an avid historian and wrote several books on Supreme Court history, including “The Supreme Court: How It Was, How It Is.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from William Rehnquist

1. “A judge who likes every outcome he reaches is very likely a bad judge.”

2. “It is not our job to apply laws that have not yet been written.”

3. “The Constitution protects the rights of individuals, not groups.”

4. “The Court should never forget that we are not the only branch of government with responsibility for the Constitution.”

5. “The power to tax is the one great power upon which the whole national fabric is based.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

William Rehnquist’s net worth was modest compared to that of many contemporary public figures, as judicial salaries are set by law and he did not engage heavily in outside business interests. His highest net worth was estimated to be around $2 million.

Children

William Rehnquist had three children: 1. James Rehnquist – An attorney. 2. Janet Rehnquist – She served as the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 3. Nancy Spears – Little public information is available about her, as she has kept a low profile.