Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. served on the United States Supreme Court as an
Associate Justice from 1902 until 1932. During that time, his eloquently
written opinions influenced the development of the concept of Freedom of
Speech, the ability of the Federal and State government to enact regulatory
legislation, the role of judges in a democracy, due process and numerous
other areas of the law. In his spare time, Holmes' keen mind studied
philosophy, economics and art, all of which is reflected in the volumes of
correspondence he maintained with some of the best minds of the day. While
Holmes was a man of ideas, he lived a full life. A veteran of the Civil War, he
knew the preciousness of life and enjoyed humor and romance.
Associate Justice from 1902 until 1932. During that time, his eloquently
written opinions influenced the development of the concept of Freedom of
Speech, the ability of the Federal and State government to enact regulatory
legislation, the role of judges in a democracy, due process and numerous
other areas of the law. In his spare time, Holmes' keen mind studied
philosophy, economics and art, all of which is reflected in the volumes of
correspondence he maintained with some of the best minds of the day. While
Holmes was a man of ideas, he lived a full life. A veteran of the Civil War, he
knew the preciousness of life and enjoyed humor and romance.
"Justice Homes and the TITANIC" - Holmes enjoyed travel and, in
particular, seeing his friends in Great Britain. As a result, he made many
ocean crossings during a time of great technological change. Ironically, it fell
to him to decide the lawsuit arising out of the most famous shipwreck of all
time. (This article was first published from The Supreme Court Historical
Society Quarterly).
particular, seeing his friends in Great Britain. As a result, he made many
ocean crossings during a time of great technological change. Ironically, it fell
to him to decide the lawsuit arising out of the most famous shipwreck of all
time. (This article was first published from The Supreme Court Historical
Society Quarterly).
"Justice Holmes' Washington" - Holmes moved to Washington in
1902 after spending 60 years in Boston. While Holmes had been a
respected jurist in Massachusetts, it was in Washington that he stepped
onto the world stage. (This article was first published from The Supreme
Court Historical Society Quarterly).
1902 after spending 60 years in Boston. While Holmes had been a
respected jurist in Massachusetts, it was in Washington that he stepped
onto the world stage. (This article was first published from The Supreme
Court Historical Society Quarterly).
"A Change of Opinion: The Evolution of Holmes' View of Lincoln"
- At the outbreak of the Civil War, the young Holmes, who was from an
abolitionist family, promptly volunteered for the Union Army and was
wounded three times during the course of the war. However, like many of
his comrades, he did not think much of his Commander-in-Chief. It was only
as he matured and reflected on the struggle that he came to realize that
Lincoln was a great man. (This article was first published from The
Supreme Court Historical Society Quarterly).
- At the outbreak of the Civil War, the young Holmes, who was from an
abolitionist family, promptly volunteered for the Union Army and was
wounded three times during the course of the war. However, like many of
his comrades, he did not think much of his Commander-in-Chief. It was only
as he matured and reflected on the struggle that he came to realize that
Lincoln was a great man. (This article was first published from The
Supreme Court Historical Society Quarterly).
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