Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter Passes Away At 85

The Supreme Court Of The United States announced the passing of former Justice David H. Souter. He passed away at his New Hampshire home on May 8 at age 85. President George H. W. Bush appointed Justice Souter to the court in 1990, and he served nearly 20 years before his retirement in 2009.

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“Justice David Souter served our Court with great distinction for nearly twenty years. He brought uncommon wisdom and kindness to a lifetime of public service. After retiring to his beloved New Hampshire in 2009, he continued to render significant service to our branch by sitting regularly on the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit for more than a decade. He will be greatly missed,” Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. said in a statement.

Many people took to social media to mourn David Souter’s death.

“The famous rallying cry was ‘no more Souters.’ But I wonder whether, in this fractious time, we actually need more David Souters, rather than fewer. On this gray morning, the world certainly feels like a poorer place without David Souter in it. RIP,” Kannon Shanmugam wrote on X.

Connor Ewing wrote, “RIP David H. Souter. Among modern SCOTUS justices, he had perhaps the most sophisticated understanding of American constitutionalism. His 2010 Harvard Law commencement address will long stand as evidence of that fact.”

“Retired Justice David Souter, a splendid and deeply principled jurist and a kind and gentle man, died at his home last night. He was dedicated to the Constitution and to the living tradition it embodies still — even when a Supreme Court majority betrays its spirit and ignores its enduring text,” another post read.

This person praised Justice Souter’s career. “David Souter, goat, retired at 69 died at 85 instead of staying in office forever, like a normal person. 4 members of the current Court are over 70 years old btw.”

The cause of death was not disclosed.

This story’s featured image is by Cynthia Johnson/Getty Images.