Origins & Early Life

Potter Stewart (January 23, 1915 – December 7, 1985) was an American lawyer and judge who was an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1958 to 1981. During his tenure, he made major contributions to criminal justice reform, civil rights, access to the courts, and Fourth Amendment jurisprudence. After graduating from Yale Law School in 1941, Stewart served in World War II as a member of the United States Navy Reserve. After the war, he practiced law and served on the Cincinnati city council.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed Stewart to a judgeship on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. In 1958, Eisenhower nominated Stewart to succeed retiring Associate Justice Harold Hitz Burton, and Stewart won Senate confirmation afterwards. He was frequently in the minority during the Warren Court but emerged as a centrist swing vote on the Burger Court.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Stewart retired in 1981 and was succeeded by the first female United States Supreme Court justice, Sandra Day O'Connor. Stewart wrote the majority opinion in cases such as Jones v. Alfred H. Mayer Co., Katz v. United States, Chimel v. California, and Sierra Club v.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. A. K. Niazi — Contemporary (Born in 1915) (1915): Pakistani general who commanded Eastern Command during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
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• Alex Honnold — Contemporary (Born in 1985) (1985): Pioneering free solo climber, famous for conquering El Capitan.
• Alexander Ovechkin — Contemporary (Born in 1985) (1985): Record-setting Russian left winger and captain for the Washington Capitals.
• Allyson Felix — Contemporary (Born in 1985) (1985): Legendary American track and field athlete, specializing in the 200m and 400m.
• Abraham ibn Ezra — Shared historical date (01-23 · Died) (1167): Distinguished 12th-century Sephardic rabbi, philosopher, and biblical commentator.
• Alexandre Cabanel — Shared historical date (01-23 · Died) (1889): Prominent French Academic painter, celebrated for historical and mythological subjects.
• Aaron Carter — Shared historical date (12-07 · Born) (1987): American singer and rapper known for teen pop stardom and enduring musical career.
• Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi — Shared historical date (12-07 · Born) (903): Influential Persian astronomer known for expanding Ptolemaic models and stellar catalogs.
• 1915 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1915
• January 23 (01-23) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 23
• 1985 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1985
• December 7 (12-07) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 7