David H. Souter, former Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, died on May 8, 2025, at his home in New Hampshire. He was 85. Appointed in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush, Souter served nearly two decades on the Court before retiring in 2009. His tenure was marked by a shift from initial conservative expectations to decisions aligning with the Court’s liberal wing.
Born on September 17, 1939, in Melrose, Massachusetts, Souter was raised in Weare, New Hampshire. He graduated from Harvard University, studied at Magdalen College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, and earned a law degree from Harvard Law School. Before his Supreme Court appointment, Souter served as New Hampshire’s attorney general and held positions on the state’s superior and supreme courts. In 1990, he briefly served on the First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals before his nomination to the Supreme Court.
Souter’s judicial philosophy emphasized precedent and institutional integrity. He played a pivotal role in reaffirming abortion rights in the 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision and dissented in the 2000 Bush v. Gore case, which effectively decided the presidential election. His opinions often supported affirmative action, separation of church and state, and limitations on the death penalty.
Known for his reclusive lifestyle, Souter avoided the Washington social scene, preferring a modest routine that included bringing yogurt and an apple for lunch and residing in a simple apartment. He declined to engage in media interviews and opposed the televising of Supreme Court proceedings, citing concerns over the Court’s integrity.
After retiring, Souter returned to New Hampshire and continued to serve by sitting on the First Circuit Court of Appeals for over a decade. He also advocated for civics education, warning that ignorance of governmental functions could undermine democracy.
Chief Justice John Roberts praised Souter’s service, stating, “Justice David Souter served our Court with great distinction for nearly twenty years. He brought uncommon wisdom and kindness to a lifetime of public service.”
