Fri May 09 13:10:00 UTC 2025: **Supreme Court Justice David Souter Dies at 85**
CONCORD, N.H. — David H. Souter, a former Supreme Court Justice appointed by President George H.W. Bush, passed away peacefully at his home in Concord, New Hampshire at the age of 85, the Supreme Court announced Friday. While the cause of death was not disclosed, his unexpected shift from a conservative to a liberal justice during his 19-year tenure left a lasting mark on the court.
Initially seen as a conservative choice, Justice Souter surprised many with his evolving judicial philosophy, becoming a key member of the court’s liberal wing. This shift led to widespread criticism from conservative Republicans, who coined the phrase “no more Souters” when future Supreme Court vacancies arose. However, those who felt betrayed overlooked his Senate confirmation hearing testimony, which some argue foreshadowed his later judicial leanings.
A private individual who preferred solitude and reading to Washington D.C.’s social scene, Justice Souter retired at age 69, returning to his beloved New Hampshire. His retirement in 2009 allowed President Barack Obama to appoint Justice Sonia Sotomayor to the vacant seat. Justice Souter is remembered as a man who valued his quiet life and intellectual pursuits above all else.
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