description Harry Blackmun Overview
Harry A. Blackmun was an American lawyer and judge who served as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1970 until 1994. He wrote the majority opinion in Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that held the Constitution protected a right to abortion under a constitutional right to privacy, subject to the framework then described by the Court.
The Supreme Court overruled Roe in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization in 2022. Blackmun's judicial record is studied in constitutional law, reproductive-rights history, and the development of the Court's privacy jurisprudence.
help Harry Blackmun FAQ
Who was Harry Blackmun?
Harry A. Blackmun was an American lawyer and judge who served as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1970 to 1994. He is especially known for writing the majority opinion in Roe v. Wade.
What did Harry Blackmun write in Roe v. Wade?
Blackmun wrote the Supreme Court's majority opinion in the 1973 decision Roe v. Wade. The ruling held that the Constitution protected a right to abortion under the framework used at that time.
How long did Harry Blackmun serve on the Supreme Court?
He served as an Associate Justice from 1970 until 1994, a period of 24 years. His tenure covered major constitutional disputes involving privacy, criminal law, and civil rights.
Was Harry Blackmun a federal judge before joining the Supreme Court?
Yes. Before becoming a Supreme Court justice, he was a lawyer and judge, and his judicial career led to his appointment to the Court in 1970.
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