| 1 | Name: | The Honorable David H. Souter | |
| Institution: | United States Supreme Court | ||
| Year Elected: | 1994 | ||
| Class: | 5. The Arts, Professions, and Leaders in Public & Private Affairs | ||
| Subdivision: | 502. Physicians, Theologians, Lawyers, Jurists, Architects, and Members of Other Professions | ||
| Residency: | Resident | ||
| Living? : | Living | ||
| Birth Date: | 1939 | ||
David H. Souter served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1990 to 2009. After earning degrees from Harvard University (1961), from Magdalen College at Oxford University (Rhodes Scholar, 1963) and from Harvard Law School (1966), David Souter returned to New Hampshire to practice as an associate with the law firm of Orr and Reno. Two years later, he left private practice to join the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office, progressively becoming the Deputy Attorney General in 1971 and the Attorney General in 1976. In 1978, Justice Souter was named a Justice of the New Hampshire Superior Court, the state trial court for general jurisdiction, which "rides circuit" from county to county. After five years on the trial court, he was elevated to the New Hampshire Supreme Court in 1983 by Governor John Sununu. Seven years later, in April 1990, President George H.W. Bush appointed David Souter to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. He served there only briefly. Following the retirement of Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. in July, President Bush nominated him for a seat on the United States Supreme Court. On October 2, 1990, the Senate confirmed his nomination by a vote of 90 - 9. During his time on the Court, Justice Souter established himself as a highly regarded and influential moderate with respect for precedent and for adherence to the rule of law. He retired from the Court in June 2009. Justice Souter was elected to membership in the American Philosophical Society in 1994. | |||