Robert H. Jackson
Robert H. Jackson: A Life of Public Service and Justice
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Robert Houghwout Jackson was a renowned American lawyer, jurist, and politician who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1941 to 1954.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: February 13, 1892
Died: October 9, 1954
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Robert H. Jackson was an American by nationality. His professional life spanned across various fields:
Attorney General of the United States (1940-1941)
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (1941-1954)
Solicitor General of the United States (1938-1940)Early Life and Background
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Jackson was born in Spring Creek, Pennsylvania, to a family of modest means. His father was a farmer, and his mother, a homemaker. Jackson's early life was marked by hard work and determination. He began teaching school at the age of 17 and eventually earned a scholarship to Albany Law School.
Major Accomplishments
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Jackson's career was distinguished by several notable accomplishments:
As Solicitor General, he argued 40 cases before the Supreme Court, winning 30.
As Associate Justice, he wrote over 200 opinions, including landmark decisions on issues like free speech and equal protection under the law.
He served as a key prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials after World War II.
Notable Works or Actions
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Jackson's work had a lasting impact:
His opinion in the case of _Korematsu v. United States_ (1944) remains influential in discussions around civil liberties and national security.
He was a vocal advocate for civil rights, particularly in his dissenting opinions on issues like segregation and racial equality.
Impact and Legacy
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Jackson's contributions to justice and public service continue to shape American society:
His commitment to equal protection under the law has inspired generations of lawyers and judges.
As a prosecutor at Nuremberg, he played a crucial role in establishing international human rights standards after World War II.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Jackson's words and actions continue to resonate:
His commitment to justice, equality, and the rule of law remains an enduring legacy.
His leadership at Nuremberg Trials marked a turning point in international human rights efforts.
* His opinions on civil liberties and individual rights have become cornerstones of American jurisprudence.
As we reflect on Robert H. Jackson's life, it becomes clear that his dedication to public service, justice, and equality has left an indelible mark on the United States. His quotes and legacy serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding fundamental human rights and the rule of law.
Quotes by Robert H. Jackson
There is a danger that, if the Court does not temper its doctrinaire logic with a little practical wisdom, it will convert the constitutional Bill of Rights into a suicide pact.
The mere state of being without funds is a neutral fact constitutionally an irrelevance, like race, creed, or color.
There is no such thing as an achieved liberty: like electricity, there can be no substantial storage and it must be generated as it is enjoyed, or the lightsgto out.
Not every defeat of authority is a gain for individual freedom, nor every judicial rescue of a convict a victory for liberty.
In this court the parties changed positions as nimbly as if dancing a quadrille.
It is possible to hold a faith with enough confidence to believe that what should be rendered to God does not need to be decided and collected by Caesar.
Had the jury convicted on proper instructions it would be the end of the matter. But juries are not bound by what seems inescapable logic to judges.
If certain acts of violation of treaties are crimes, they are crimes whether the United States does them or whether Germany does them, and we are not prepared to lay down a rule of criminal conduct against others which we would not be willing to have invoked against us.
This Court is forever adding new stories to the temples of constitutional law, and the temples have a way of collapsing when one story too many is added.
