Justice Charles Evans Whittaker served on the Supreme Court from 1957 to 1962 after being appointed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Whittaker had previously served as a judge on both the U.S. District Court and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, gaining recognition for his diligent work ethic and fair-mindedness.
However, Whittaker’s time on the Supreme Court was marked by struggles with the workload and the complexity of constitutional cases. He was a centrist and often found it difficult to decide in closely contested cases, resulting in frequent vacillations. This indecision led to him abstaining from some key cases, which drew criticism from his colleagues.
Whittaker retired in 1962 due to health issues exacerbated by the stress of his position. Despite his short tenure, his dedication to judicial integrity remains a testament to his commitment to public service. He passed away in 1973.
