John Paul Stevens
The foundation of American society is based on a protected structure of laws and amendments that is regarded as one of the best examples of Democracy that the world has ever seen. The United States Constitution is a relative masterpiece written more than two-hundred and thirty years ago and has only been changed a handful of times. Most of those changes were written by a select group of individuals. Many of the individuals who have achieved the position of United States Supreme Court Justice have forever changed and shaped American history. Few have served as many years and have had as much influence on the court as senior justice John Paul Stevens.
John Paul Stevens was born on April 20th, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois to parents Ernest and Elizabeth Stevens. He is the youngest of four sons and has always lived a privileged life. His family’s wealth came from his father’s involvement in the insurance industry as well as ownership of the Stevens Hotel. He grew up near the University of Chicago and graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1941. Like many young men he enlisted to help fight in World War II. He earned the bronze star while part of the Navy’s code breaking team. Shortly after the war he attended Northwestern University law school and was editor in chief of the universities law review. He then served as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice William Rutledge.
The experience he gained as a law clerk allowed him to join a powerful anti-trust law firm in Chicago. Three years later he decided to open up his own law firm as well as teaching at Northwestern University and The University of Chicago law schools. His extensive knowledge of anti-trust laws earned him positions with the House of Representatives and a position in the U.S. Attorney Generals office. After his service there he was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in 1970 by Richard Nixon. Five years later after Nixon had...
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