Justice William O. Douglas, appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939, served on the Court for an unprecedented 36 years, making him the longest-serving justice in U.S. history. A passionate defender of civil liberties and environmental protection, Douglas was known for his progressive and sometimes controversial opinions.
Douglas’s opinions often expanded individual rights, particularly in the areas of free speech, privacy, and environmental law. His dissent in Sierra Club v. Morton (1972), where he argued that natural resources should have legal standing, was groundbreaking in environmental jurisprudence. He also authored the majority opinion in Griswold v. Connecticut (1965), which recognized a constitutional right to privacy.
Douglas’s judicial philosophy emphasized a living Constitution, adapting its principles to contemporary societal needs. His personal life, marked by multiple marriages and controversies, occasionally overshadowed his professional achievements. Douglas retired in 1975 and passed away in 1980, leaving a legacy as a champion of individual freedoms.
