Antonin Scalia
Full Name and Common Aliases
Antonin Gregory Scalia, often referred to simply as Nino, was a prominent figure in American jurisprudence. Known for his sharp wit and incisive legal opinions, Scalia's name is synonymous with a particular brand of constitutional interpretation that has left a lasting mark on the United States legal landscape.
Birth and Death Dates
Antonin Scalia was born on March 11, 1936, in Trenton, New Jersey, and passed away on February 13, 2016, at a ranch in Shafter, Texas. His life spanned nearly eight decades, during which he became one of the most influential Supreme Court Justices in American history.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Scalia was an American by nationality. His professional life was dedicated to the field of law, where he served as a lawyer, professor, and ultimately, a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. His career was marked by a steadfast commitment to the principles of originalism and textualism in constitutional interpretation.
Early Life and Background
Antonin Scalia was the only child of Salvatore Eugene Scalia, an Italian immigrant and professor of Romance languages, and Catherine Louise Scalia, a schoolteacher. Raised in Queens, New York, Scalia was instilled with a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for education. He attended Xavier High School, a Jesuit military school in Manhattan, where he excelled academically and developed a lifelong affinity for rigorous intellectual debate.
Scalia went on to attend Georgetown University, graduating as valedictorian in 1957. He then pursued a law degree at Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review. After graduating in 1960, Scalia embarked on a legal career that would see him rise to the pinnacle of the American judicial system.
Major Accomplishments
Scalia's career was marked by a series of significant accomplishments. After working in private practice and serving in various government roles, he became a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law. His academic career was distinguished by his ability to engage students with his dynamic teaching style and profound understanding of constitutional law.
In 1982, Scalia was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit by President Ronald Reagan. His tenure on the appellate court was characterized by his clear and forceful opinions, which caught the attention of legal scholars and practitioners alike.
In 1986, Scalia was nominated by President Reagan to the Supreme Court, where he was confirmed unanimously by the Senate. As the first Italian-American to serve on the Supreme Court, Scalia's appointment was a historic milestone.
Notable Works or Actions
During his nearly three decades on the Supreme Court, Scalia authored numerous opinions that have become cornerstones of American legal thought. His majority opinion in District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) was a landmark decision affirming an individual's right to bear arms under the Second Amendment. Scalia's dissent in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, showcased his belief in judicial restraint and the importance of adhering to the Constitution's original meaning.
Scalia was also known for his colorful and often biting dissents, which were as much a part of his legacy as his majority opinions. His writing style was characterized by clarity, wit, and a penchant for vivid metaphors, making his opinions both accessible and memorable.
Impact and Legacy
Antonin Scalia's impact on American law and society is profound. As a staunch advocate of originalism, he championed the idea that the Constitution should be interpreted based on its original meaning at the time it was enacted. This approach has influenced a generation of judges, lawyers, and legal scholars, shaping the discourse around constitutional interpretation.
Scalia's legacy extends beyond his judicial philosophy. He was a larger-than-life figure whose presence on the Court was marked by his engaging personality and intellectual rigor. His influence continues to be felt in legal debates and decisions, as well as in the broader cultural understanding of the role of the judiciary.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Antonin Scalia is widely quoted and remembered for his articulate and often provocative opinions, which have become essential reading for anyone interested in constitutional law. His ability to distill complex legal principles into clear and compelling language made his writings accessible to both legal professionals and the general public.
Scalia's legacy as a jurist who was unafraid to challenge prevailing legal norms and advocate for a return to the Constitution's original meaning ensures that his words and ideas will continue to resonate in legal and public discourse for years to come. His contributions to the American legal system have cemented his place as one of the most influential Supreme Court Justices in history.
Quotes by Antonin Scalia
Antonin Scalia's insights on:
I'm not a scientist. That's why I don't want to have to deal with global warming, to tell you the truth.
Winning and losing, that's never been my objective. It's my hope that in the fullness of time, the majority of the court will come to see things as I do.
Power tends to corrupt. But the power in Washington resides in Congress, if it wants to use it. It can do anything - it can stop the Vietnam War, it can make its will felt, if it can ever get its act together to do anything.
The only way to eliminate any government choice on what art is worthwhile, what art isn't worthwhile, is to get the government totally out of the business of funding.
Until the courts put a stop to it, public debate over same-sex marriage displayed American democracy at its best. Individuals on both sides of the issue passionately, but respectfully, attempted to persuade their fellow citizens to accept their views.
I spent my junior year in Switzerland. On the way back home, I spent some time in England, and I remember going to Hyde Park Corner. And there was a Roman Catholic priest in his collar, standing on a soapbox, preaching the Catholic faith and being heckled by a group. And I thought, 'My goodness.' I thought that was admirable.
I'm nervous about our civic culture. I'm not sure the Internet is largely the cause of it. It's certainly the cause of careless writing. People who get used to blurbing things on the Internet are never going to be good writers.
Because values change, legislatures abolish the death penalty, permit same-sex marriage if they want, abolish laws against homosexual conduct. That's how the change in a society occurs. Society doesn't change through a Constitution.
If you condemn someone who has committed a crime to be tortured, that would be unconstitutional.
It is not rational, never mind 'appropriate,' to impose billions of dollars in economic costs in return for a few dollars in health or environmental benefits.