When discussing the landmark Supreme Court case, Roe v. Wade, it is important to understand the judges who were involved in the decision-making process. The case, which was decided in 1973, is still a topic of controversy and debate today. In this article, we will explore the names and backgrounds of the judges who presided over this case.
Chief Justice Warren E. Burger
Warren E. Burger was appointed as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court by President Richard Nixon in 1969. He served in this role until 1986, when he retired. During his tenure as Chief Justice, Burger presided over several significant cases, including Roe v. Wade.
Justice Harry A. Blackmun
Harry A. Blackmun was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Richard Nixon in 1970. He served on the Court until 1994, and is perhaps best known for his majority opinion in Roe v. Wade. Blackmun's opinion in the case declared that a woman's right to choose to have an abortion fell within the right to privacy protected by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Justice William J. Brennan Jr.
William J. Brennan Jr. was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. He served on the Court until 1990, and was known for being a staunch defender of individual rights and civil liberties. In Roe v. Wade, Brennan wrote a concurring opinion in support of the majority decision.
Justice Potter Stewart
Potter Stewart was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958. He served on the Court until 1981, and was known for his pragmatic and moderate approach to constitutional law. In Roe v. Wade, Stewart wrote a dissenting opinion arguing that the issue of abortion should be left up to the individual states to decide.
Justice Byron R. White
Byron R. White was appointed to the Supreme Court by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. He served on the Court until 1993, and was known for being a strict constructionist who believed in interpreting the Constitution as it was written. In Roe v. Wade, White wrote a dissenting opinion arguing that the Constitution did not protect a woman's right to have an abortion.
Justice Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1967. He served on the Court until 1991, and was known for his commitment to civil rights and social justice. In Roe v. Wade, Marshall wrote a concurring opinion in support of the majority decision.
Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr.
Lewis F. Powell Jr. was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Richard Nixon in 1971. He served on the Court until 1987, and was known for being a swing vote on many important cases. In Roe v. Wade, Powell wrote a concurring opinion in support of the majority decision.
Conclusion
The judges who presided over Roe v. Wade were a diverse group of individuals with varying backgrounds and perspectives. While some were known for their liberal leanings, others were more conservative in their approach to constitutional law. Regardless of their individual opinions, however, the majority decision in Roe v. Wade has had a profound impact on American society and continues to be a topic of debate and controversy today.