San Antonio College Library

A biography of the man who served as the governor of New York State, Secretary of State under President Harding, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Attempts to portray the complex, and often contradictory personality of one of the most influential jurists of the twentieth century and reconcile it with his Supreme Court record.

James F. Simon is Martin Professor of Law Emeritus and Dean Emeritus of New York Law School and the author of eight books on American history, law, and politics. This first major biography of Justice William O. Douglas presents a vital, human portrait of the most controversial man to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court in its 191 year history. Simon researched this book for three and a half years and interviewed Douglas's friends and enemies, his children,...

William O. Douglas served on the Supreme Court of the United States for over 36 years, from 1939 to 1975, the longest term of any Justice. His tenure was marked by an unyielding and brilliantly executed determination to- as he frequently put it- "keep the government off the backs of the people." Together with Hugo Black, Justice Douglas was responsible for many of the Supreme Court decisions which extended the protection of the Due Process Clause...