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Rufus Peckham

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description Rufus Peckham Overview

[Rufus Wheeler Peckham](https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/peckham-rufus-wheeler) was an American lawyer and judge who served as an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1896 until his death in 1909. Before joining the Court, he served on New York's Court of Appeals and in private and public legal offices. He wrote the majority opinion in Lochner v. New York (1905), which struck down limits on bakery working hours under a Fourteenth Amendment liberty-of-contract analysis that later became associated with the Lochner era.

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Who was Rufus Wheeler Peckham?

Rufus Wheeler Peckham was an American lawyer and judge who became an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court. He served on the Court from 1896 until his death in 1909.

When did Rufus Peckham serve on the Supreme Court?

Peckham served as a Supreme Court justice from 1896 to 1909. His tenure ended when he died while still serving on the Court.

What court did Rufus Peckham serve on before the Supreme Court?

Before joining the Supreme Court, Peckham served on New York's Court of Appeals. His state judicial career preceded his appointment to the federal high court.

What is Rufus Peckham known for as a Supreme Court justice?

Peckham is closely associated with the 1905 decision Lochner v. New York, which struck down a New York bakery-hours law. The case later gave its name to the term Lochner era.