Antonin Scalia

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1986 to 2016

Antonin Gregory Scalia (March 11, 1936 – February 13, 2016[1]) was a Conservative jurist on the Supreme Court of the United States. He was an Associate Justice. Scalia was put on the Court in 1986 by Ronald Reagan and was the longest-serving justice on the Court. Before becoming a justice, he was on the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and was a law professor. He was a Roman Catholic[2] born to Italian American parents. He was the first Italian-American on the Court.

Antonin Scalia
Portrait of Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
In office
September 26, 1986 – February 13, 2016
Nominated byRonald Reagan
Preceded byWilliam Rehnquist
Succeeded byNeil Gorsuch
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
In office
August 17, 1982 – September 26, 1986
Nominated byRonald Reagan
Preceded byRoger Robb
Succeeded byDavid Sentelle
United States Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel
In office
August 22, 1974 – January 20, 1977
PresidentGerald Ford
Preceded byRoger C. Cramton
Succeeded byJohn Harmon
Personal details
Born
Antonin Gregory Scalia

(1936-03-11)March 11, 1936
Trenton, New Jersey, U.S
DiedFebruary 13, 2016 (aged 79)
Shafter, Texas, U.S.
Spouse(s)
Maureen McCarthy
(m. 1960; his death 2016)
Children9 (including Eugene)
Alma materGeorgetown University
Harvard University
SignatureA cursive, not particularly legible "Antonin Scalia"

Early life change

Scalia was born in Trenton, New Jersey, but grew up in Queens, New York. Scalia went to Georgetown University, the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, and Harvard Law School.[3] He began his career in Cleveland, Ohio and traveled to Chicago, Illinois during his early life.

Supreme Court Justice change

Scalia was noted for holding a conservative approach to the law.[4] He also believed in originalism. This means he wanted the Constitution interpreted exactly as its framers had wanted it. Scalia and fellow judge Clarence Thomas often had the same viewpoints. He was friends with justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Death change

Scalia died in his sleep on February 13, 2016 at a ranch in Shafter, Texas at the age of 79.[1] His death left a split in the court with 4 conservatives and 4 liberals. President Barack Obama said he would choose Scalia's successor in "due time". President Obama, former Governor of Texas Rick Perry, Governor of Ohio John Kasich, former Presidents George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, Senators Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Bernie Sanders, and Vice president Joe Biden all reacted to his death.

Replacement change

On March 16, 2016, President Obama nominated Merrick Garland to replace Scalia.[5] After Republicans refused to give Garland a confirmation hearing, his nomination expired in January 2017. On January 31, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to replace Scalia.[6] Gorsuch was sworn into office on Monday, April 10, 2017, in two ceremonies.[7]

Honors change

In November 2018, Scalia received a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump.[8]

References change

  1. 1.0 1.1 Barnes, Robert. "Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia dies at 79". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  2. Molotski, Irwin (June 18, 1986), "The Supreme Court: Man in the News; Judge with tenacity and charm: Antonin Scalia", The New York Times, retrieved January 12, 2010
  3. "Biographies of Current Justices of the Supreme Court". Supreme Court of the United States. United States Government. February 9, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  4. Liptak, Alan (February 13, 2016), "Justice Antonin Scalia, Who Led a Conservative Renaissance on the Supreme Court, Is Dead at 79", The New York Times, retrieved February 13, 2016
  5. Shear, Michael D.; Davis, Julie Hirschfeld; Harris, Gardiner (March 16, 2016). "Obama Chooses Merrick Garland For Supreme Court". The New York Times. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  6. "President Donald J. Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court". Office of the White House Press Secretary. January 31, 2017.
  7. "President Donald J. Trump Congratulates Judge Neil M. Gorsuch on his Historic Confirmation". April 7, 2017.[permanent dead link]
  8. "Trump To Honor Antonin Scalia, Orrin Hatch, GOP Megadonor With Medals of Freedom". HuffPost. November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.

Other websites change