Supreme Court Justice 

This is a list of past and present justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. Both Associate Justices and Chief Justices are nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate.

Contents

List of Justices

The following table lists the terms of all Supreme Court justices since 1789 placed in the order in which the justices took the judicial oath of office and thereby started their term of office. Two Justices, Robert H. Harrison and Edwin Stanton, were appointed to the court but never served and therefore are not listed. Robert H. Harrison was one of the original justices appointed to the court by George Washington, but declined to serve. Edwin Stanton was appointed by Ulysses S. Grant, but died before taking office, taking the oath on his death bed.

# Judge State Born/Died Active service Term as Chief Justice Retirement Appointed by Reason for
termination
1 Wilson, JamesJames Wilson PA September 14, 1742–
August 21, 1798		 October 5, 1789–
August 21, 1798		 (none) (none) Washington death
2 Jay, JohnJohn Jay NY December 12, 1745–
May 17, 1829		 October 19, 1789–
June 29, 1795		 October 19, 1789–
June 29, 1795		 (none) Washington resignation
3 Cushing, WilliamWilliam Cushing MA March 1, 1732–
September 13, 1810		 February 2, 1790–
September 13, 1810		 (none) (none) Washington death
4 Blair, JohnJohn Blair VA 1732–
August 31, 1800		 February 2, 1790–
October 25, 1795		 (none) (none) Washington resignation
5 Rutledge, JohnJohn Rutledge SC September 18, 1739–
June 21, 1800		 February 15, 1790–
March 5, 1791		 (none) (none) Washington resignation
6 Iredell, JamesJames Iredell NC October 5, 1751–
October 20, 1799		 May 12, 1790–
October 20, 1799		 (none) (none) Washington death
7 Johnson, ThomasThomas Johnson * MD November 4, 1732–
October 26, 1819		 August 6, 1792–
January 16, 1793		 (none) (none) Washington resignation
8 Paterson, WilliamWilliam Paterson NJ December 24, 1745–
September 9, 1806		 March 11, 1793–
September 9, 1806		 (none) (none) Washington death
5 Rutledge, JohnJohn Rutledge * SC September 18, 1739–
June 21, 1800		 July 1, 1795–
December 15, 1795		 July 1, 1795–
December 15, 1795		 (none) Washington rejection of recess
appointment by Senate
9 Chase, SamuelSamuel Chase MD April 17, 1741–
June 19, 1811		 February 4, 1796–
June 19, 1811		 (none) (none) Washington death
10 Ellsworth, OliverOliver Ellsworth CT April 29, 1745–
November 26, 1807		 March 8, 1796–
December 15, 1800		 March 8, 1796–
December 15, 1800		 (none) Washington resignation
11 Washington, BushrodBushrod Washington VA June 5, 1762–
November 26, 1829		 February 4, 1799–
November 26, 1829		 (none) (none) J. Adams death
12 Moore, AlfredAlfred Moore NC May 21, 1755–
October 15, 1810		 April 21, 1800–
January 26, 1804		 (none) (none) J. Adams resignation
13 Marshall, JohnJohn Marshall VA September 24, 1755–
July 6, 1835		 February 4, 1801–
July 6, 1835		 February 4, 1801–
July 6, 1835		 (none) J. Adams death
14 Johnson, WilliamWilliam Johnson SC December 27, 1771–
August 4, 1834		 May 7, 1804–
August 4, 1834		 (none) (none) Jefferson death
15 Livingston, Henry BrockholstHenry Brockholst Livingston NY November 25, 1757–
March 18, 1823		 January 20, 1807–
March 18, 1823		 (none) (none) Jefferson death
16 Todd, ThomasThomas Todd KY January 23, 1765–
February 7, 1826		 May 4, 1807–
February 7, 1826		 (none) (none) Jefferson death
17 Duvall, GabrielGabriel Duvall MD December 6, 1752–
March 6, 1844		 November 23, 1811–
January 14, 1835		 (none) (none) Madison resignation
18 Story, JosephJoseph Story MA September 18, 1779–
September 10, 1845		 February 3, 1812–
September 10, 1845		 (none) (none) Madison death
19 Thompson, SmithSmith Thompson * NY January 17, 1768–
December 18, 1843		 September 1, 1823–
December 18, 1843		 (none) (none) Monroe death
20 Trimble, RobertRobert Trimble KY November 17, 1776–
August 25, 1828		 June 16, 1826–
August 25, 1828		 (none) (none) J. Q. Adams death
21 McLean, JohnJohn McLean OH March 11, 1785–
April 4, 1861		 January 11, 1830–
April 4, 1861		 (none) (none) Jackson death
22 Baldwin, HenryHenry Baldwin PA January 14, 1780–
April 21, 1844		 January 18, 1830–
April 21, 1844		 (none) (none) Jackson death
23 Wayne, James MooreJames Moore Wayne GA 1790–
July 5, 1867		 January 14, 1835–
July 5, 1867		 (none) (none) Jackson death
24 Taney, Robert BrookeRoger Brooke Taney MD March 17, 1777–
October 12, 1864		 March 28, 1836–
October 12, 1864		 March 28, 1836–
October 12, 1864		 (none) Jackson death
25 Barbour, Philip PendletonPhilip Pendleton Barbour VA May 25, 1783–
February 25, 1841		 May 12, 1836–
February 25, 1841		 (none) (none) Jackson death
26 Catron, JohnJohn Catron TN 1786–
May 30, 1865		 May 1, 1837–
May 30, 1865		 (none) (none) Van Buren death
27 McKinley, JohnJohn McKinley AL May 1, 1780–
July 19, 1852		 January 9, 1838–
July 19, 1852		 (none) (none) Van Buren death
28 Daniel, Peter VivianPeter Vivian Daniel VA April 24, 1784–
May 31, 1860		 January 10, 1842–
May 31, 1860		 (none) (none) Van Buren death
29 Nelson, SamuelSamuel Nelson NY November 10, 1792–
December 13, 1873		 February 27, 1845–
November 28, 1872		 (none) (none) Tyler retirement
30 Woodbury, LeviLevi Woodbury * NH December 22, 1789–
September 4, 1851		 September 23, 1845–
September 4, 1851		 (none) (none) Polk death
31 Grier, Robert CooperRobert Cooper Grier PA March 5, 1794–
September 25, 1870		 August 10, 1846–
January 31, 1870		 (none) (none) Polk retirement
32 Curtis, Benjamin RobbinsBenjamin Robbins Curtis * MA November 4, 1809–
September 15, 1874		 October 10, 1851–
September 30, 1857		 (none) (none) Fillmore resignation
33 Campbell, John ArchibaldJohn Archibald Campbell AL June 24, 1811–
March 12, 1889		 April 11, 1853–
April 30, 1861		 (none) (none) Pierce resignation
34 Clifford, NathanNathan Clifford ME August 18, 1803–
July 25, 1881		 January 21, 1858–
July 25, 1881		 (none) (none) Buchanan death
35 Swayne, Noah HaynesNoah Haynes Swayne OH December 7, 1804–
June 8, 1884		 January 27, 1862–
January 24, 1881		 (none) (none) Lincoln retirement
36 Miller, Samuel FreemanSamuel Freeman Miller IA April 5, 1816–
October 13, 1890		 July 21, 1862–
October 13, 1890		 (none) (none) Lincoln death
37 Davis, DavidDavid Davis IL March 9, 1815–
June 26, 1886		 December 10, 1862–
March 4, 1877		 (none) (none) Lincoln resignation
38 Field, Stephen JohnsonStephen Johnson Field CA November 4, 1816–
April 9, 1899		 May 20, 1863–
December 1, 1897		 (none) (none) Lincoln retirement
39 Chase, Salmon PortlandSalmon Portland Chase OH January 13, 1808–
May 7, 1873		 December 15, 1864–
May 7, 1873		 December 15, 1864–
May 7, 1873		 (none) Lincoln death
40 Strong, WilliamWilliam Strong PA May 6, 1808–
August 19, 1895		 March 14, 1870–
December 14, 1880		 (none) (none) Grant retirement
41 Bradley, Joseph PhiloJoseph P. Bradley NJ March 14, 1813–
January 22, 1892		 March 23, 1870–
January 22, 1892		 (none) (none) Grant death
42 Hunt, WardWard Hunt NY June 14, 1810–
March 24, 1886		 January 9, 1873–
January 27, 1882		 (none) (none) Grant retirement
43 Waite, MorrisonMorrison Remick Waite OH November 29, 1816–
March 23, 1888		 March 4, 1874–
March 23, 1888		 March 4, 1874–
March 23, 1888		 (none) Grant death
44 Harlan, John MarshallJohn Marshall Harlan KY June 1, 1833–
October 14, 1911		 December 10, 1877–
October 14, 1911		 (none) (none) Hayes death
45 Woods, William BurnhamWilliam Burnham Woods GA August 3, 1824–
May 14, 1887		 January 5, 1881–
May 14, 1887		 (none) (none) Hayes death
46 Matthews, Thomas StanleyStanley Matthews OH July 21, 1824–
March 22, 1889		 May 17, 1881–
March 22, 1889		 (none) (none) Garfield death
47 Gray, HoraceHorace Gray MA March 24, 1828–
September 15, 1902		 January 9, 1882–
September 15, 1902		 (none) (none) Arthur death
48 Blatchford, SamuelSamuel Blatchford NY March 9, 1820–
July 7, 1893		 April 3, 1882–
July 7, 1893		 (none) (none) Arthur death
49 Lamar, Lucius Quintus CincinattusLucius Quintus
Cincinnatus Lamar		 MS September 17, 1825–
January 23, 1893		 January 18, 1888–
January 23, 1893		 (none) (none) Cleveland death
50 Fuller, MelvilleMelville Weston Fuller IL February 11, 1833–
July 4, 1910		 October 8, 1888–
July 4, 1910		 October 8, 1888–
July 4, 1910		 (none) Cleveland death
51 Brewer, David JosiahDavid Josiah Brewer KS June 20, 1837–
March 28, 1910		 January 6, 1890–
March 28, 1910		 (none) (none) B. Harrison death
52 Brown, Henry BillingsHenry Billings Brown MI March 2, 1836–
September 4, 1913		 January 5, 1891–
May 28, 1906		 (none) (none) B. Harrison retirement
53 Shiras, George Jr.George Shiras, Jr. PA January 26, 1832–
August 2, 1924		 October 10, 1892–
February 23, 1903		 (none) (none) B. Harrison retirement
54 Jackson, Howell EdmundsHowell Edmunds Jackson TN April 8, 1832–
August 8, 1895		 March 4, 1893–
August 8, 1895		 (none) (none) B. Harrison death
55 White, Edward DouglassEdward Douglass White LA November 3, 1845–
May 19, 1921		 March 12, 1894–
May 19, 1921		 December 19, 1910–
May 19, 1921		 (none) Cleveland (associate)
Taft (chief)[1]		 death
56 Peckham, Rufus WheelerRufus Wheeler Peckham NY November 8, 1838–
October 24, 1909		 January 6, 1896–
October 24, 1909		 (none) (none) Cleveland death
57 McKenna, JosephJoseph McKenna CA August 10, 1843–
November 21, 1926		 January 26, 1898–
January 5, 1925		 (none)[2] (none) McKinley retirement
58 Holmes, Oliver Wendall Jr.Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. * MA March 8, 1841–
March 6, 1935		 December 8, 1902–
January 12, 1932		 (none)[3] (none) T. Roosevelt retirement
59 Day, William RufusWilliam Rufus Day OH April 7, 1849–
July 9, 1923		 March 2, 1903–
November 13, 1922		 (none) (none) T. Roosevelt retirement
60 Moody, William HenryWilliam Henry Moody MA December 23, 1853–
July 2, 1917		 December 17, 1906–
November 20, 1910		 (none) (none) T. Roosevelt retirement[4]
61 Lurton, Horace HarmonHorace Harmon Lurton TN February 26, 1844–
July 12, 1914		 January 3, 1910–
July 12, 1914		 (none) (none) Taft death
62 Hughes, Charles EvansCharles Evans Hughes NY April 11, 1862–
August 27, 1948		 October 10, 1910–
June 10, 1916		 (none) (none) Taft resignation
63 Van Devanter, WillisWillis Van Devanter Wyoming\WY April 17, 1859–
February 8, 1941		 January 3, 1911–
June 2, 1937		 (none) June 2, 1937–
February 8, 1941		 Taft resignation
64 Lamar, Joseph RuckerJoseph Rucker Lamar GA October 14, 1857–
January 2, 1916		 January 3, 1911–
January 2, 1916		 (none) (none) Taft death
65 Pitney, MahlonMahlon Pitney NJ February 5, 1858–
December 9, 1924		 March 18, 1912–
December 31, 1922		 (none) (none) Taft resignation
66 McReynolds, James ClarkJames Clark McReynolds TN February 3, 1862–
August 24, 1946		 October 12, 1914–
January 31, 1941		 (none) January 31, 1941–
August 24, 1946		 Wilson death[5]
67 Brandeis, Louis DembitzLouis Dembitz Brandeis MA November 13, 1856–
October 5, 1941		 June 5, 1916–
February 13, 1939		 (none) February 13, 1939–
October 5, 1941		 Wilson death[5]
68 Clarke, John HessinJohn Hessin Clarke OH September 18, 1857–
March 22, 1945		 October 9, 1916–
September 18, 1922		 (none) (none) Wilson resignation
69 Taft, William HowardWilliam Howard Taft CT September 15, 1857–
March 8, 1930		 July 11, 1921–
February 3, 1930		 July 11, 1921–
February 3, 1930		 (none) Harding resignation due to illness[6]
70 Sutherland, GeorgeGeorge Sutherland UT March 25, 1862–
July 18, 1942		 October 2, 1922–
January 17, 1938		 (none) January 17, 1938–
July 18, 1942		 Harding death[5]
71 Butler, PiercePierce Butler MN March 17, 1866–
November 16, 1939		 January 2, 1923–
November 16, 1939		 (none) (none) Harding death
72 Sanford, Edward TerryEdward Terry Sanford TN July 23, 1865–
March 8, 1930		 February 19, 1923–
March 8, 1930		 (none) (none) Harding death
73 Stone, Harlan FiskeHarlan Fiske Stone NY October 11, 1872–
April 22, 1946		 March 2, 1925–
April 22, 1946		 July 3, 1941–
April 22, 1946[7]		 (none) Coolidge (associate)
F. Roosevelt (chief)[1]		 death
62 Hughes, Charles EvansCharles Evans Hughes NY April 11, 1862–
August 27, 1948		 February 24, 1930–
June 30, 1941		 February 24, 1930–
June 30, 1941		 (none) Hoover retirement
74 Roberts, Owen JosephusOwen Josephus Roberts PA May 2, 1875–
May 17, 1955		 June 2, 1930–
July 31, 1945		 (none) (none) Hoover resignation
75 Cardozo, BenjaminBenjamin Nathan Cardozo NY May 24, 1870–
July 9, 1938		 March 14, 1932–
July 9, 1938		 (none) (none) Hoover death
76 Black, HugoHugo Lafayette Black AL February 27, 1886–
September 25, 1971		 August 19, 1937–
September 17, 1971		 (none)[8][9] September 17, 1971–
September 25, 1971		 F. Roosevelt death[5]
77 Reed, Stanley FormanStanley Forman Reed KY December 31, 1884–
April 2, 1980		 January 31, 1938–
February 25, 1957		 (none) February 25, 1957–
April 2, 1980		 F. Roosevelt death[5]
78 Frankfurter, FelixFelix Frankfurter MA November 15, 1882–
February 22, 1965		 January 30, 1939–
August 28, 1962		 (none) August 28, 1962–
February 22, 1965		 F. Roosevelt death[5]
79 Douglas, WilliamWilliam Orville Douglas CT October 16, 1898–
January 19, 1980		 April 17, 1939–
November 12, 1975		 (none) November 12, 1975–
January 19, 1980		 F. Roosevelt death[5]
80 Murphy, FrankFrank Murphy MI April 13, 1890–
July 19, 1949		 February 5, 1940–
July 19, 1949		 (none) (none) F. Roosevelt death
81 Byrnes, James F.James Francis Byrnes SC May 2, 1879–
April 9, 1972		 July 8, 1941–
October 3, 1942		 (none) (none) F. Roosevelt resignation
82 Jackson, Robert H.Robert Houghwout Jackson NY February 13, 1892–
October 9, 1954		 July 11, 1941–
October 9, 1954		 (none) (none) F. Roosevelt death
83 Rutledge, Wiley BlountWiley Blount Rutledge IA July 20, 1894–
September 10, 1949		 February 15, 1943–
September 10, 1949		 (none) (none) F. Roosevelt death
84 Burton, Harold HitzHarold Hitz Burton OH June 22, 1888–
October 28, 1964		 October 1, 1945–
October 13, 1958		 (none) October 13, 1958–
October 28, 1964		 Truman death[5]
85 Vinson, Fred MooreFrederick Moore Vinson KY January 22, 1890–
September 8, 1953		 June 24, 1946–
September 8, 1953		 June 24, 1946–
September 8, 1953		 (none) Truman death
86 Clark, Tom CampbellTom Campbell Clark TX September 23, 1899–
June 13, 1977		 August 24, 1949–
June 12, 1967		 (none) June 12, 1967–
June 13, 1977		 Truman death[5]
87 Minton, ShermanSherman Minton IN October 20, 1890–
April 9, 1965		 October 12, 1949–
October 15, 1956		 (none) October 15, 1956–
April 9, 1965		 Truman death[5]
88 Warren, EarlEarl Warren * CA March 19, 1891–
July 9, 1974		 October 5, 1953–
June 23, 1969		 October 5, 1953–
June 23, 1969		 June 23, 1969–
July 9, 1974		 Eisenhower death[5]
89 Harlan, John Marshall IIJohn Marshall Harlan II NY May 20, 1899–
December 29, 1971		 March 28, 1955–
September 23, 1971		 (none) September 23, 1971–
December 29, 1971		 Eisenhower death[5]
90 Brennan, WilliamWilliam Joseph Brennan, Jr. * NJ April 25, 1906–
July 24, 1997		 October 16, 1956–
July 20, 1990		 (none) July 20, 1990–
July 24, 1997		 Eisenhower death[5]
91 Whittaker, Charles EvansCharles Evans Whittaker MO February 22, 1901–
November 26, 1973		 March 25, 1957–
March 31, 1962		 (none) March 31, 1962–
September 30, 1965		 Eisenhower resignation
92 Stewart, PotterPotter Stewart * OH January 23, 1915–
December 7, 1985		 October 14, 1958–
July 3, 1981		 (none) July 3, 1981–
December 7, 1985		 Eisenhower retirement
93 White, ByronByron Raymond White CO June 8, 1917–
April 15, 2002		 April 16, 1962–
June 28, 1993		 (none) June 28, 1993–
April 15, 2002		 Kennedy death[5]
94 Goldberg, ArthurArthur Joseph Goldberg IL August 8, 1908–
January 19, 1990		 October 1, 1962–
July 25, 1965		 (none) (none) Kennedy resignation
95 FortasAbe Fortas TN June 19, 1910–
April 5, 1982		 October 4, 1965–
May 14, 1969		 (none) (none) L. Johnson resignation
96 Marshall, ThurgoodThurgood Marshall NY July 2, 1908–
January 24, 1993		 October 2, 1967–
October 1, 1991		 (none) October 1, 1991–
January 24, 1993		 L. Johnson death[5]
97 BurgerWarren Earl Burger VA September 17, 1907–
June 25, 1995		 June 23, 1969–
September 26, 1986		 June 23, 1969–
September 26, 1986		 September 26, 1986–
June 25, 1995		 Nixon death[5]
98 BlackmunHarry Andrew Blackmun MN November 12, 1908–
March 4, 1999		 June 9, 1970–
August 3, 1994		 (none) August 3, 1994–
March 4, 1999		 Nixon death[5]
99 PowellLewis Franklin Powell, Jr. VA September 19, 1907–
August 25, 1998		 January 7, 1972–
June 26, 1987		 (none) June 26, 1987–
August 25, 1998		 Nixon death[5]
100 RehnquistWilliam Hubbs Rehnquist AZ/VA[10] October 1, 1924–
September 3, 2005		 January 7, 1972–
September 3, 2005		 September 26, 1986–
September 3, 2005		 (none) Nixon (associate)
Reagan (chief)[1]		 death
101 StevensJohn Paul Stevens IL April 20, 1920–
present		 December 19, 1975–
present		 —[11] — Ford —
102 O'ConnorSandra Day O'Connor AZ March 26, 1930–
present		 September 25, 1981–
January 31, 2006		 (none) January 31, 2006–
present		 Reagan retirement
103 ScaliaAntonin Gregory Scalia VA March 11, 1936–
present		 September 26, 1986–
present		 — — Reagan —
104 KennedyAnthony McLeod Kennedy CA July 23, 1936–
present		 February 18, 1988–
present		 — — Reagan —
105 SouterDavid Hackett Souter NH September 17, 1939–
present		 October 9, 1990–
present		 — — G. H. W. Bush —
106 ThomasClarence Thomas GA June 23, 1948–
present		 October 23, 1991–
present		 — — G. H. W. Bush —
107 GinsburgRuth Bader Ginsburg NY March 15, 1933–
present		 August 10, 1993–
present		 — — Clinton —
108 BreyerStephen Gerald Breyer MA August 15, 1938–
present		 August 3, 1994–
present		 — — Clinton —
109 Roberts, JohnJohn Glover Roberts, Jr. MD January 27, 1955–
present		 September 29, 2005–
present		 September 29, 2005–
present		 — G. W. Bush —
110 AlitoSamuel Anthony Alito NJ April 1, 1950–
present		 January 31, 2006–
present		 — — G. W. Bush —

Timeline

Justices appointed before 1800

Justices serving after 1800

*: These justices were appointed before 1800. Their pre-1800 term portions are shown in the previous timeline.

Note: Because of limitations of the code, the timeline cannot be easily replicated into one timeline.

Notes

  1. ^ a b c This individual was elevated from Associate Justice to Chief Justice. Unlike the inferior courts, the Chief Justice is separately nominated and subject to a separate confirmation process, regardless of whether or not (s)he is already an Associate Justice.
  2. ^ Under 36 Stat. 1152, McKenna was Acting Chief Justice from White's death on May 19, 1921 until Taft took office on July 11, 1921.
  3. ^ Under 36 Stat. 1152, Holmes was Acting Chief Justice from Taft's departure on February 3, 1930 until Hughes took office on February 24, 1930.
  4. ^ There is some disagreement on how Moody exited office. According to the Federal Judicial Center, Moody resigned. According to the Supreme Court Historical Society, Moody retired. It turns out that the confusion comes from the fact that Moody was allowed to retire by special act of Congress in 1910 due to prolonged ill health. (Moody did not meet the minimum age and service requirements to retire without this waiver.)
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Deaths in senior status seem to cause confusion. There are two types of retirement: in the first type, the justice resigns his appointment in return for a pension, and the "Reason Appointment Terminated" is marked as "retirement". In the second type of retirement, called senior status, the justice's appointment does not end. Instead, the justice accepts a reduced workload on an inferior court. For instance, Stanley F. Reed was frequently assigned to the Court of Claims when he was in senior status. As of 2006, every justice except Charles Evans Whittaker who has assumed senior status has died in it; in that case, the judge will have the "Reason Appointment Terminated" as "death", even though they retired from the court before they died.
  6. ^ There is some disagreement on how William Howard Taft exited office. According to some sources, such as the Supreme Court Historical Society, Taft retired. According to others, such as the Federal Judicial Center, Taft resigned.
  7. ^ Under 36 Stat. 1152, Stone was Acting Chief Justice from Hughes's retirement on June 30, 1941 until Stone took the oath of office as Chief Justice three days later.
  8. ^ Under 36 Stat. 1152, Black was Acting Chief Justice from Stone's death on April 22, 1946 until Vinson took office on June 24, 1946.
  9. ^ Under 62 Stat. 869, Black was Acting Chief Justice from Vinson's death on September 8, 1953 until Warren took office on October 5, 1953. The Supreme Court was not in session during this brief period.
  10. ^ In 1986, when elevated to Chief Justice, Rehnquist was appointed from Virginia[1]
  11. ^ Under 28 U.S.C. § 3, Stevens was Acting Chief Justice from Rehnquist's death on September 3, 2005 until Roberts took office on September 29, 2005. The Supreme Court was not in session during this brief period.

See also

References

External links