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• David Souter is an Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court. He was appointed to the position by President George H. W. Bush in 1990.

  Souter's retirement, which will take effect in July of 2009, was officially announced by President Barack Obama on May 1, 2009. According to sources, Souter's dislike of Washington D.C. was a factor in his decision.NPR: Supreme Court Justice Souter To Retire (April 30, 2009) It had been widely speculated that Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the 76-year-old Justice in the midst of cancer treatment, would be the next to leave an empty seat on the bench. Souter will remain at his post until President Obama's nominee to replace him is confirmed by the Senate.NPR: Supreme Court Justice Souter To Retire (April 30, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: September 17, 1939
  2. Birthplace: Melrose, Massachusetts
  3. Residence: Weare, New Hampshire
  4. Alma Mater: Harvard University
  5. Law School: Harvard Law School
  6. Assumed office: October 9, 1990
  7. Retirement announced: May 1, 2009
  8. Will step down at the end of the season, in July 2009
  9. Predecessor: William Brennan
  10. Nominated by George H. W. Bush
  11. Rhodes Scholar

• Early Life

  During his early years, Souter spent much of his time on his maternal grandparents' farm in Weare, New Hampshire, and when his grandparents died, his parents relocated to the farm. Souter has resided at the farm since he was eleven. A highly intelligent child, Souter graduated from Harvard University, attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, and then graduated from Harvard Law School.

• On the Bench

  In 1971, he became Attorney General of New Hampshire after Warren Rudman stepped down. In 1983, Governor John Sununu appointed Souter to the New Hampshire Supreme Court. As a justice, Souter distinguished himself as a quirky, independent thinker who drew equal parts admiration and scorn from both sides of the aisle. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush appointed Souter to the U.S. Court of Appeals, and only five months later nominated him for Supreme Court Justice. In his nomination, Bush assured conservatives that Souter would be a "home run." As a justice, Souter has been a less reliable vote than conservatives anticipated, upholding the controversial Roe v. Wade decision and typically voting with the Court's moderate members.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  The U.S. Supreme Court | John Roberts | John Paul Stevens | Stephen Breyer | Antonin Scalia | Ruth Bader Ginsburg | Anthony Kennedy | Clarence Thomas | Samuel Alito | Bill Clinton | David Souter Retirement | Sonia Sotomayor

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