description John Marshall Harlan Overview
John Marshall Harlan was a prominent American lawyer and Supreme Court Justice. He served from 1877 until his death in 1911. Notably, Harlan consistently opposed racial segregation through his dissenting opinions, most famously in Plessy v. Ferguson.
His steadfast commitment to individual rights and constitutional interpretation remains influential for legal scholars and those interested in civil rights history.
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What was John Marshall Harlan's role in Plessy v. Ferguson?
In the infamous 1896 *Plessy v. Ferguson* Supreme Court case, Justice Harlan was the sole dissenting voice against the establishment of "separate but equal" racial segregation. His powerful dissent famously argued that the Constitution is "color-blind" and should not tolerate class distinctions based on race.
Why is John Marshall Harlan often called "The Great Dissenter"?
He earned the historical nickname "The Great Dissenter" because of his steadfast willingness to stand alone against the conservative majority of his era. He frequently wrote lone dissents defending civil rights, federal power over monopolies, and the rights of marginalized groups.
How long did John Marshall Harlan serve on the Supreme Court?
Harlan served as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court for 34 years, from 1877 until his death in 1911. He was nominated to the high court by President Rutherford B. Hayes.
Was Justice John Marshall Harlan related to another Supreme Court Justice?
Yes, his grandson, John Marshall Harlan II, also served as a Justice on the United States Supreme Court. The younger Harlan was appointed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and served from 1955 to 1971.
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