Context:

David Souter, a former Supreme Court Justice appointed by President George H.W. Bush, has passed away at the age of 85. Initially expected to steer the court towards conservative rulings, Souter became known for his consistently liberal decisions, which included upholding the core principles of Roe v. Wade. His tenure on the court sparked a backlash from conservatives, leading to more stringent ideological evaluations of future nominees. After nearly two decades on the bench, he retired in 2009, paving the way for President Barack Obama to appoint Sonia Sotomayor. Souter's approach to law was characterized by judicial restraint, and he preferred a quiet, contemplative life in New Hampshire, avoiding the public spotlight and Washington's social scene.

Dive Deeper:

• David Souter was appointed to the Supreme Court by President George H.W. Bush in 1990, replacing Justice William Brennan, and was expected to shift the court towards conservatism. However, he often sided with the liberal bloc, notably upholding Roe v. Wade, which led to disappointment among conservatives and the phrase 'No More Souters' becoming a rallying cry for more ideological vetting of Supreme Court nominees.

• Souter's judicial philosophy was one of restraint, focusing on the Constitution and Bill of Rights as living documents intended for the indefinite future. He believed in interpreting these texts in a way that was applicable to contemporary issues, often emphasizing the need for courts to balance liberty and equality when making decisions.

• Throughout his career, Souter was involved in pivotal cases, such as a 1995 decision that supported the exclusion of an LGBTQ group from a St. Patrick's Day parade in Boston and a 2005 ruling that found Kentucky counties violated the First Amendment by displaying the Ten Commandments in public buildings.

• After serving for 19 years, Souter retired from the Supreme Court in 2009 at the age of 69, much younger than most justices at retirement, allowing President Obama to appoint Sonia Sotomayor. His retirement marked a shift towards more liberal representation on the court, as Sotomayor became a prominent figure in the court's liberal wing.

• Souter was known for his modest and private lifestyle, often retreating to New Hampshire, where he continued to contribute to the judiciary by sitting on lower courts. He was resistant to technological advancements, preferring to write his opinions by hand and famously opposed the introduction of cameras in the courtroom.