Hugo Lafayette Black

Democrat Senator of Alabama

Congresses Served

Senate Terms

January 1, 1886 (85 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1971

Death

Served as a U.S. Senator from Alabama before becoming an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
Known for his support of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal
Initially had anti-Catholic views and was a member of the Ku Klux Klan, which he later renounced
Advocated for a textualist reading of the U.S. Constitution and believed in the incorporation of the Bill of Rights onto the states through the Fourteenth Amendment
Had a significant shift in his judicial philosophy over time, moving from a liberal to a more conservative stance on certain issues
Authored the majority opinion in Korematsu v. United States, upholding the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II
Opposed the doctrine of substantive due process and did not believe the Constitution contained a right to privacy
Played a key role in landmark cases expanding individual rights, including Gideon v. Wainwright and Engel v. Vitale
His early career included working as a police court judge and practicing law, specializing in labor law and personal injury cases
Served in the United States Army during World War I
Married twice and had three children
Confirmed to the Supreme Court by a Senate vote of 63 to 16, despite controversies over his past Klan membership
Became a prominent champion of civil liberties and civil rights during his time on the Supreme Court
His tenure on the Supreme Court lasted from 1937 to 1971, making him one of the longest-serving justices in history