Robert Bork
Robert Bork
#### A Life of Conservative Thought and Public Service
Full Name and Common Aliases
Robert Heron Bork was born on March 1, 1927, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is commonly known for his conservative judicial philosophy and his influential role in shaping American jurisprudence.
Birth and Death Dates
March 1, 1927 – December 19, 2012
Nationality and Profession(s)
American; Jurist, Judge, Attorney General of the United States under President Richard Nixon
Early Life
Born to a family of modest means, Bork's early life was marked by hardship. His father, Henry Norman Bork, was an accountant who struggled financially during the Great Depression. Despite these challenges, Robert's mother encouraged his love for reading and learning, fostering a strong educational foundation that would serve him well throughout his life.
Bork attended Harvard University, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1947 with a degree in economics. He later earned his law degree from Yale Law School in 1953, ranking second in his class. His academic achievements set the stage for a distinguished career in public service and academia.
Major Accomplishments
Bork's professional life was marked by several significant accomplishments:
As Solicitor General of the United States (1972-1973), Bork argued numerous cases before the Supreme Court, including the landmark case _United States v. Nixon_.
As a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (1982-1988), Bork issued influential opinions that shaped the development of constitutional law.
As a presidential nominee to the Supreme Court in 1987, Bork's nomination sparked intense controversy and ultimately led to his rejection by the Senate.Notable Works or Actions
Bork's writings and actions continue to resonate with scholars and policymakers today:
His book _The Tempting of America: The Political Seduction of the Law_ (1990) offers a critique of liberal judicial activism.
As a leading figure in the Federalist Society, Bork helped shape conservative thought on issues such as originalism and textualism.Impact and Legacy
Robert Bork's impact on American law and politics is undeniable:
His nomination to the Supreme Court sparked an intense debate over judicial philosophy and the role of the judiciary in society.
As a scholar and public figure, Bork has inspired generations of conservatives and libertarians who seek to restore constitutional limits on government power.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Bork's influence extends far beyond his own lifetime:
His conservative judicial philosophy continues to shape the Supreme Court's decisions on issues such as gun rights, abortion, and same-sex marriage.
* As a prominent public intellectual, Bork's writings and opinions remain widely read and debated today.
Through his life's work, Robert Bork has left an indelible mark on American law and politics. His legacy serves as a testament to the enduring power of conservative thought and the importance of judicial restraint in a free society.
Quotes by Robert Bork
Robert Bork's insights on:
I was thinking of resigning since I did not want to be perceived as a man who did the president's bidding to save my job. I have had some time to think about it since. I think I did the right thing.
When a judge assumes the power to decide which distinctions made in a statute are legitimate and which are not, he assumes the power to disapprove of any and all legislation, because all legislation makes distinctions.
The First Amendment is about how we govern ourselves – not about how we titillate ourselves sexually.
Under the First Amendment’s prohibition of the establishment of religion, the Court has steadily made religion a matter for the private individual by driving it out of the public arena.
Law is vulnerable to the winds of intellectual or moral fashion, which it then validates as the commands of our most basic concept.
I don’t think the Constitution is studied almost anywhere, including law schools. In law schools, what they study is what the court said about the Constitution. They study the opinions. They don’t study the Constitution itself.
The judge’s authority derives entirely from the fact that he is applying the law and not his personal values. That is why the American public accepts the decisions of its courts, accepts even decisions that nullify the laws a majority of the electorate or their representatives voted for.
I was thinking of resigning since I did not want to be perceived as a man who did the president’s bidding to save my job. I have had some time to think about it since. I think I did the right thing.
The right to procreate is not guaranteed, explicitly or implicitly, by the Constitution.
Being ‘at the mercy of legislative majorities’ is merely another way of describing the basic American plan: representative democracy.