Context:

Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter passed away at his home in New Hampshire at the age of 85. Souter was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush and served until his retirement in 2009. Despite being appointed by a Republican president, Souter was known for often siding with the court's liberal bloc. At the time of his appointment, he was relatively unknown and did not have a well-defined stance on controversial issues. Souter's academic background includes a degree in philosophy from Harvard, and he was recognized for his intellectual prowess and commitment to the law.

Dive Deeper:

• David Souter, who served as a Supreme Court Justice from 1990 to 2009, died at his home in New Hampshire at the age of 85.

• Souter was appointed by President George H.W. Bush and was initially considered a conservative choice, but he often aligned with the court's liberal justices.

• President Bush described Souter as a judge of exceptional intellect and ability, highlighting his scholarly dedication to the law.

• Before his Supreme Court appointment, Souter had a relatively low profile and lacked a clear record on divisive legal issues, making him a somewhat enigmatic figure.

• Souter graduated from Harvard University in 1961 with a major in philosophy, which contributed to his reputation as a deep thinker and an intellectual on the bench.