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John Marshall Harlan: The Last Whig Justice

Clinton Reed

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John Marshall Harlan: The Last Whig Justice

by Loren P. Beth

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4392 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	328 pages
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John Marshall Harlan was one of the most important Supreme Court justices in American history. He served on the Court for over 30 years, and his opinions helped to shape the course of American law. Harlan was a brilliant jurist who was known for his independence and his commitment to justice. He was also a staunch defender of civil rights, and his opinions helped to move the country closer to equality for all.

Harlan was born in Kentucky in 1833. He was the son of a slave owner, but he grew up to be a strong opponent of slavery. He studied law at Transylvania University and then began practicing law in Louisville. In 1861, he was elected to the Kentucky legislature, where he served for one term. In 1877, he was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Rutherford B. Hayes.

Harlan served on the Court for over 30 years. During that time, he wrote some of the most important opinions in American history. He was a strong supporter of civil rights, and he wrote several opinions that helped to protect the rights of African Americans. He was also a defender of economic liberty, and he wrote opinions that helped to protect the rights of businesses.

Harlan was a brilliant jurist who was known for his independence and his commitment to justice. He was a staunch defender of civil rights, and his opinions helped to move the country closer to equality for all. He was a great American who made a lasting contribution to the law.

Harlan's Legacy

Harlan's legacy is complex and multifaceted. He was a brilliant jurist who wrote some of the most important opinions in American history. He was also a staunch defender of civil rights and economic liberty. However, he was also a product of his time, and some of his opinions reflect the prejudices of the era in which he lived.

Despite his flaws, Harlan was a great American who made a lasting contribution to the law. His opinions helped to shape the course of American history, and he is remembered as one of the most important Supreme Court justices in history.