Supreme Court Justices List: Dive into the esteemed roster of the Supreme Court of the United States, the pinnacle of the nation’s judicial system. Established by the Judiciary Act of 1869, it comprises the Chief Justice and eight associate justices, each appointed for life by the President, subject to Senate approval. Explore our Current Justices of the Supreme Court for an insightful look at these pivotal figures shaping American law and justice.
List of Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States
US Supreme Court Justices: There have been 116 justices appointed to the Supreme Court since its founding in 1789. The 107 non-incumbent judges have served on the Court for varying lengths of time: William O. Douglas served for 36 years and 209 days, John Rutledge served for 1 year and 18 days as an associate justice, and John Rutledge served for 138 days as chief justice after taking a few years off the Court. The tenure of the nine sitting justices as of November 3, 2023, spans from 32 years, 11 days for Clarence Thomas to 1 year, 126 days for Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Justice |
Position |
Date Confirmed (Vote) |
Tenure |
Tenure Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. John Jay |
Chief Justice |
September 26, 1789 |
October 19, 1789 |
5 years, 253 days |
2. John Rutledge |
Associate Justice |
September 26, 1789 |
February 15, 1790 |
1 year, 18 days |
3. William Cushing |
Associate Justice |
September 26, 1789 |
February 2, 1790 |
20 years, 223 days |
4. James Wilson |
Associate Justice |
September 26, 1789 |
October 5, 1789 |
8 years, 320 days |
5. John Blair |
Associate Justice |
September 26, 1789 |
February 2, 1790 |
5 years, 265 days |
6. James Iredell |
Associate Justice |
February 10, 1790 |
May 12, 1790 |
9 years, 161 days |
7. Thomas Johnson |
Associate Justice |
November 7, 1791 |
September 19, 1791 |
1 year, 119 days |
8. William Paterson |
Associate Justice |
March 4, 1793 |
March 11, 1793 |
13 years, 181 days |
9. John Rutledge |
Chief Justice |
December 15, 1795 |
August 12, 1795 |
138 days |
10. Samuel Chase |
Associate Justice |
January 27, 1796 |
February 4, 1796 |
15 years, 135 days |
11. Oliver Ellsworth |
Chief Justice |
March 4, 1796 |
March 8, 1796 |
4 years, 282 days |
12. Bushrod Washington |
Associate Justice |
December 20, 1798 |
November 9, 1798 |
31 years, 17 days |
13. Alfred Moore |
Associate Justice |
December 9, 1799 |
April 21, 1800 |
3 years, 280 days |
14. John Marshall |
Chief Justice |
January 27, 1801 |
February 4, 1801 |
34 years, 152 days |
15. William Johnson |
Associate Justice |
March 24, 1804 |
May 7, 1804 |
30 years, 89 days |
16. Henry Brockholst Livingston |
Associate Justice |
December 17, 1806 |
January 20, 1807 |
16 years, 57 days |
17. Thomas Todd |
Associate Justice |
March 2, 1807 |
May 4, 1807 |
18 years, 341 days |
18. Gabriel Duvall |
Associate Justice |
November 18, 1811 |
November 23, 1811 |
23 years, 50 days |
19. Joseph Story |
Associate Justice |
November 18, 1811 |
February 3, 1812 |
33 years, 219 days |
20. Smith Thompson |
Associate Justice |
December 9, 1823 |
September 1, 1823 |
20 years, 108 days |
21. Robert Trimble |
Associate Justice |
20 years, 108 days |
June 16, 1826 |
2 years, 70 days |
22. John McLean |
Associate Justice |
March 7, 1829 |
March 12, 1829 |
32 years, 23 days |
23. Henry Baldwin |
Associate Justice |
January 6, 1830 |
January 18, 1830 |
14 years, 94 days |
24. James Moore Wayne |
Associate Justice |
January 9, 1835 |
January 14, 1835 |
32 years, 172 days |
25. Roger B. Taney |
Chief Justice |
March 15, 1836 |
March 28, 1836 |
28 years, 198 days |
26. Phillip P. Barbour |
Associate Justice |
March 15, 1836 |
May 12, 1836 |
4 years, 289 days |
27. John Catron |
Associate Justice |
March 8, 1837 |
May 1, 1837 |
28 years, 29 days |
28. John McKinley |
Associate Justice |
September 25, 1837 |
January 9, 1838 |
14 years, 192 days |
29. Peter Vivian Daniel |
Associate Justice |
March 2, 1841 |
January 10, 1842 |
18 years, 142 days |
30. Samuel Nelson |
Associate Justice |
February 14, 1845 |
February 27, 1845 |
27 years, 275 days |
31. Levi Woodbury |
Associate Justice |
January 31, 1846 |
September 23, 1845 |
5 years, 346 days |
32. Robert Cooper Grier |
Associate Justice |
August 4, 1846 |
August 10, 1846 |
23 years, 174 days |
33. Benjamin Robbins Curtis |
Associate Justice |
December 20, 1851 |
October 10, 1851 |
5 years, 355 days |
34. John Archibald Campbell |
Associate Justice |
March 22, 1853 |
April 11, 1853 |
8 years, 19 days |
35. Nathan Clifford |
Associate Justice |
January 12, 1858 |
January 21, 1858 |
23 years, 185 days |
36. Noah Haynes Swayne |
Associate Justice |
January 24, 1862 |
January 27, 1862 |
18 years, 363 days |
37. Samuel Freeman Miller |
Associate Justice |
July 16, 1862 |
July 21, 1862 |
28 years, 84 days |
38. David Davis |
Associate Justice |
December 8, 1862 |
December 10, 1862 |
14 years, 84 days |
39. Stephen Johnson Field |
Associate Justice |
March 10, 1863 |
May 20, 1863 |
34 years, 195 days |
40. Salmon P. Chase |
Chief Justice |
December 6, 1864 |
December 15, 1864 |
8 years, 143 days |
41. William Strong |
Associate Justice |
February 18, 1870 |
March 14, 1870 |
10 years, 275 days |
42. Joseph P. Bradley |
Associate Justice |
March 21, 1870 |
March 23, 1870 |
21 years, 305 days |
43. Ward Hunt |
Associate Justice |
December 11, 1872 |
January 9, 1873 |
9 years, 18 days |
44. Morrison Waite |
Chief Justice |
January 21, 1874 |
March 4, 1874 |
14 years, 19 days |
45. John Marshall Harlan |
Associate Justice |
November 29, 1877 |
December 10, 1877 |
33 years, 308 days |
46. William Burnham Woods |
Associate Justice |
December 21, 1880 |
January 5, 1881 |
6 years, 129 days |
47. Stanley Matthews |
Associate Justice |
May 12, 1881 |
May 17, 1881 |
7 years, 309 days |
48. Horace Gray |
Associate Justice |
December 20, 1881 |
January 9, 1882 |
20 years, 249 days |
49. Samuel Blatchford |
Associate Justice |
March 22, 1882 |
April 3, 1882 |
11 years, 95 days |
50. Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar |
Associate Justice |
January 16, 1888 |
January 18, 1888 |
5 years, 5 days |
51. Melville Fuller |
Chief Justice |
July 20, 1888 |
October 8, 1888 |
21 years, 269 days |
52. David J. Brewer |
Associate Justice |
December 18, 1889 |
January 6, 1890 |
20 years, 81 days |
53. Henry Billings Brown |
Associate Justice |
December 29, 1890 |
January 5, 1891 |
15 years, 143 days |
54. George Shiras Jr. |
Associate Justice |
July 26, 1892 |
October 10, 1892 |
10 years, 136 days |
55. Howell Edmunds Jackson |
Associate Justice |
February 18, 1893 |
March 4, 1893 |
2 years, 157 days |
56. Edward Douglass White |
Associate Justice |
February 19, 1894 |
March 12, 1894 |
16 years, 281 days |
57. Rufus W. Peckham |
Associate Justice |
December 9, 1895 |
January 6, 1896 |
13 years, 291 days |
58. Joseph McKenna |
Associate Justice |
January 21, 1898 |
January 26, 1898 |
26 years, 345 days |
59. Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. |
Associate Justice |
December 4, 1902 |
December 8, 1902 |
29 years, 35 days |
60. William R. Day |
Associate Justice |
February 23, 1903 |
March 2, 1903 |
19 years, 256 days |
61. William Henry Moody |
Associate Justice |
December 12, 1906 |
December 17, 1906 |
3 years, 338 days |
62. Horace Harmon Lurton |
Associate Justice |
December 20, 1909 |
January 3, 1910 |
4 years, 204 days |
63. Charles Evans Hughes |
Associate Justice |
May 2, 1910 |
October 10, 1910 |
5 years, 244 days |
64. Edward Douglass White |
Chief Justice |
December 12, 1910 |
December 19, 1910 |
10 years, 151 days |
65. Wiilias Van Devanter |
Associate Justice |
December 15, 1910 |
January 3, 1911 |
26 years, 150 days |
66. Joseph Rucker Lamar |
Associate Justice |
December 15, 1910 |
January 3, 1911 |
4 years, 364 days |
67. Mahlon Pitney |
Associate Justice |
March 13, 1912 |
March 18, 1912 |
10 years, 288 days |
68. James Clark McReynolds |
Associate Justice |
August 29, 1914 |
October 12, 1914 |
26 years, 111 days |
69. Louis Brandies |
Associate Justice |
June 1, 1916 |
June 5, 1916 |
22 years, 253 days |
70. John Hessin Clarke |
Associate Justice |
July 24, 1916 |
October 9, 1916 |
5 years, 344 days |
71. Wiiliam Howard Taft |
Chief Justice |
June 30, 1921 |
July 11, 1921 |
8 years, 207 days |
72. George Sutherland |
Associate Justice |
September 5, 1922 |
October 2, 1922 |
15 years, 107 days |
73. Pierce Buttler |
Associate Justice |
December 21, 1922 |
January 2, 1923 |
16 years, 318 days |
74. Edward Terry Sanford |
Associate Justice |
January 29, 1923 |
February 19, 1923 |
7 years, 17 days |
75. Harlan F. Stone |
Associate Justice |
February 5, 1925 |
March 2, 1925 |
16 years, 122 days |
76. Charles Evans Hughes |
Chief Justice |
February 13, 1930 |
February 24, 1930 |
11 years, 126 days |
77. Owen Roberts |
Associate Justice |
May 20, 1930 |
June 2, 1930 |
15 years, 59 days |
78. Benjamin N. Cardozo |
Associate Justice |
February 24, 1932 |
March 14, 1932 |
6 years, 117 days |
79. Hugo Black |
Associate Justice |
August 17, 1937 |
August 19, 1937 |
34 years, 29 days |
80. Stanley Forman Reed |
Associate Justice |
January 25, 1938 |
January 31, 1938 |
19 years, 25 days |
81. Felix Frankfurter |
Associate Justice |
January 17, 1939 |
January 30, 1939 |
23 years, 210 days |
82. William O. Douglas |
Associate Justice |
April 4, 1939 |
April 17, 1939 |
36 years, 209 days |
83. Frank Murphy |
Associate Justice |
January 16, 1940 |
February 5, 1940 |
9 years, 164 days |
84. Harlan F. Stone |
Chief Justice |
June 27, 1941 |
July 3, 1941 |
4 years, 293 days |
85. James F. Byrnes |
Associate Justice |
June 12, 1941 |
July 8, 1941 |
1 year, 87 days |
86. Robert H. Jackson |
Associate Justice |
July 7, 1941 |
July 11, 1941 |
13 years, 90 days |
87. Wiley Blount Rutledge |
Associate Justice |
February 8, 1943 |
February 15, 1943 |
6 years, 207 days |
88. Harold Hitz Burton |
Associate Justice |
September 19, 1945 |
October 1, 1945 |
13 years, 12 days |
89. Fred M. Vinson |
Associate Justice |
June 20, 1946 |
June 24, 1946 |
7 years, 76 days |
90. Tom C. Clark |
Associate Justice |
August 18, 1949 |
August 24, 1949 |
17 years, 292 days |
91. Sherman Minton |
Associate Justice |
October 4, 1949 |
October 12, 1949 |
7 years, 3 days |
92. Earl Warren |
Chief Justice |
March 1, 1954 |
October 5, 1953 |
15 years, 261 days |
93. John Marshall Harlan II |
Associate Justice |
March 16, 1955 |
March 28, 1955 |
16 years, 179 days |
94. William J. Brennan Jr. |
Associate Justice |
March 19, 1957 |
October 16, 1956 |
33 years, 277 days |
95. Charles Evans Whitekkar |
Associate Justice |
March 19, 1957 |
March 25, 1957 |
5 years, 6 days |
96. Potter Stewart |
Associate Justice |
May 5, 1959 |
October 14, 1958 |
22 years, 262 days |
97. Byron White |
Associate Justice |
April 11, 1962 |
April 16, 1962 |
31 years, 73 days |
98. Arthur Goldberg |
Associate Justice |
September 25, 1962 |
October 1, 1962 |
2 years, 297 days |
99. Abe Fortas |
Associate Justice |
August 11, 1965 |
October 4, 1965 |
3 years, 222 days |
100. Thurgood Marshall |
Associate Justice |
August 30, 1967 |
October 2, 1967 |
23 years, 364 days |
101. Warren E. Burger |
Chief Justice |
June 9, 1969 |
June 23, 1969 |
17 years, 95 days |
102. Harry Blackmun |
Associate Justice |
May 12, 1970 |
June 9, 1970 |
24 years, 55 days |
103. Lewis F. Powell Jr. |
Associate Justice |
December 6, 1971 |
January 7, 1972 |
15 years, 170 days |
104. William Rehnquist |
Associate Justice |
December 10, 1971 |
January 7, 1972 |
14 years, 262 days |
105. John Paul Stevens |
Associate Justice |
December 17, 1975 |
December 19, 1975 |
34 years, 192 days |
106. Sandra Day O’Connor |
Associate Justice |
September 21, 1981 |
September 25, 1981 |
24 years, 128 days |
107. William Rehnquist |
Chief Justice |
September 17, 1986 |
September 26, 1986 |
18 years, 342 days |
108. Antonin Scalia |
Associate Justice |
September 17, 1986 |
September 26, 1986 |
29 years, 140 days |
109. Anthony Kennedy |
Associate Justice |
February 3, 1988 |
February 18, 1988 |
30 years, 163 days |
110. David Souter |
Associate Justice |
October 2, 1990 |
October 9, 1990 |
18 years, 263 days |
111. Clarence Thomas |
Associate Justice |
October 15, 1991 |
October 23, 1991 |
32 years, 11 days |
112. Ruth Bader Ginsberg |
Associate Justice |
August 3, 1993 |
August 10, 1993 |
27 years, 39 days |
113. Stephen Breyer |
Associate Justice |
July 29, 1994 |
August 3, 1994 |
27 years, 331 days |
114. John Roberts |
Chief Justice |
September 29, 2005 |
September 29, 2005 |
18 years, 35 days |
115. Samuel Alito |
Associate Justice |
January 31, 2006 |
January 31, 2006 |
17 years, 276 days |
116. Sonia Sotomayor |
Associate Justice |
August 6, 2009 |
August 8, 2009 |
14 years, 87 days |
117. Elena Kagan |
Associate Justice |
August 5, 2010 |
August 7, 2010 |
13 years, 88 days |
118. Neil Gorsuch |
Associate Justice |
April 7, 2017 |
April 10, 2017 |
6 years, 207 days |
119. Brett Kavanaugh |
Associate Justice |
October 6, 2018 |
October 6, 2018 |
5 years, 28 days |
120. Amy Coney Barrett |
Associate Justice |
October 26, 2020 |
October 27, 2020 |
3 years, 7 days |
121. Ketanji Brown Jackson |
Associate Justice |
April 7, 2022 |
June 30, 2022 |
1 year, 126 days |
Supreme Court Justices 2024: The Supreme Court of the United States, with its nine justices, remains a cornerstone of American democracy. Its impact on the nation’s laws and policies is immeasurable, and the justices who serve on it play a pivotal role in shaping the legal landscape for generations. As time goes on, it is vital to stay informed about the ever-evolving composition of the Court and the implications it holds for the United States and its citizens.
How many Supreme Court Justices are there in the United States?
There are nine members of the United States Supreme Court: One chief justice and eight associate justices. The size of the Supreme Court and the roles held by its members are not specified by the U.S. Constitution.
Current Chief Justice of the United States
The current Chief Justice of the United States is John G. Roberts, Jr. He was born on January 27, 1955, in Buffalo, New York. Josephine and Jack are their two children. He wed Jane Sullivan in 1996. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1979 with a J.D. and Harvard College in 1976 with an A.B.
Background of the Supreme Court of the United States
Organized by the First United States Congress, the Supreme Court was established by Article III of the United States Constitution, which states that the “judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court.” Congress established thirteenth judicial districts, defined the Court’s original and appellate jurisdiction, and set the number of justices at six (one chief justice and five associate justices) with the Judiciary Act of 1789.
Congress has periodically changed the size of the Supreme Court since 1789, usually in reaction to the nation’s own population growth. When the Court’s next vacancy occurred, an 1801 legislation would have reduced its membership to five members. But before any such vacancy happened, 1802 legislation reversed the effects of the 1801 legislation affecting the Court, keeping the Court’s membership at six. Its membership was subsequently enlarged by law to seven in 1803, nine in 1837, and ten in 1863. Two vacancies did occur during this time, and an 1866 legislation was supposed to have lowered the Court’s strength from ten members to seven upon its subsequent three vacancies.
Nomination Process of Supreme Court Justices in the US
A. Presidential Nomination:
- The President nominates a candidate for a Supreme Court vacancy, exercising their power under Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution.
- The nomination process is often shrouded in secrecy, involving consultations with advisors, senators, and interest groups.
- The President typically seeks a nominee who shares their judicial philosophy and will uphold their administration’s priorities.
- Once selected, the nominee’s background, legal career, and political leanings are scrutinized by the media and public.
B. Senate Confirmation Hearings:
- The Senate Judiciary Committee holds public hearings to consider the nominee’s qualifications and suitability for the lifetime appointment.
- Committee members, representing both parties, question the nominee on their legal views, rulings, and potential impact on the Court.
- The hearings are often contentious, with witnesses testifying for and against the nominee, and protests erupting outside the Capitol.
- The Committee then votes on whether to recommend the nominee’s confirmation to the full Senate.
C. Full Senate Vote and Confirmation:
- The full Senate debates the nomination after receiving the Committee’s recommendation.
- Senators can speak for or against the nominee, discussing their legal record, judicial philosophy, and potential impact on the Court’s balance.
- A simple majority vote is required for confirmation, with the Vice President breaking ties.
- Confirmation is a highly political process, often influenced by partisan considerations and public opinion.
Tenure of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States
- Supreme Court Justices are appointed for lifetime tenure. Although being appointed for life, many Supreme Court judges have left the court or retired.
- Many justices who retired from the Court without completely quitting the federal judiciary did so willingly starting in the early 20th century.
- As per the United States Code, a retired justice is no longer an active member of the Supreme Court. However, they can still serve as a judge of a U.S. Court of Appeals or District Court, a role that many retired justices have filled.
- Less than 15 years have been served on the Court on average in the past. Nonetheless, the average tenure has grown to almost 26 years since 1970.
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Conclusion
Concluding our exploration of the ‘Supreme Court Justices List,’ we’ve delved into the profiles of the current justices of the Supreme Court, offering a comprehensive view of the individuals who shape the highest judicial authority in the United States. This list not only reflects the present composition but also echoes the historical evolution of the court. As we look at the ‘US Supreme Court Justices’ through the years, including the ‘Supreme Court Justices 2024,’ we gain insights into the dynamic nature of legal interpretations and decisions that have profound impacts on American law and society. The ‘Historical Supreme Court Justices’ section provides a deeper understanding of how past justices have influenced today’s legal landscape. This article serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in the workings of the United States’ judiciary and its pivotal role in shaping the nation’s future.
FAQs – Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States
1. Who are the 9 current Supreme Court Justices?
Current 9 members of the Supreme Court of the United States are: John G. Roberts, Jr., Chief Justice of the United States, and 8 associate justices are Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito, Jr., Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, Ketanji Brown Jackson.
2. How many Justices are on the United States Supreme Court?
There are nine members of the United States Supreme Court: One chief justice and eight associate justices. The size of the Supreme Court and the roles held by its members are not specified by the U.S. Constitution.
3. Who is the Longest Supreme Court Justice?
Clarence Thomas, a current Supreme Court Justice, is the fourteenth longest serving Justice, having served for slightly over 31.5 years as of May 2023. William O. Douglas is the longest serving Justice, having served for 36 years and 209 days.
4. Who is the Last Person Appointed to the US Supreme Court?
President Joe Biden (D) nominated Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court on February 28, 2022, and the Senate confirmed him on April 7, 2022.
5. Who are the 4 Female Supreme Court Justices?
Amy Coney Barrett, Associate Justice; Elena Kagan, Associate Justice; Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice; Ketanji Brown Jackson, Associate Justice are the four female Supreme Court Justices.