What justice has been on the Supreme Court the longest?
Asked by: Dr. Nichole Yundt | Last update: February 19, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (53 votes)
Justice William O. Douglas served the longest on the U.S. Supreme Court, with a tenure of over 36 years, from 1939 until his retirement in 1975, appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He served more than two years longer than the second-longest serving Justice, Stephen Johnson Field, and John Paul Stevens, who are tied for second and third longest.
Who has been a Supreme Court justice the longest?
The longest serving Justice was William O. Douglas who served for 36 years, 7 months, and 8 days from 1939 to 1975. Which Associate Justice served the shortest Term?
How long has Samuel Alito been on the Supreme Court?
He was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in 1990. On October 31, 2005, President George W. Bush nominated him as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and he took his seat on January 31, 2006.
Who served 34 years as Chief Justice?
John Marshall served as the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court for 34 years, from 1801 until his death in 1835, making him the longest-serving Chief Justice in American history and establishing the judiciary as a co-equal branch of government through landmark decisions like Marbury v. Madison.
Who is the longest serving judge of the Supreme Court?
Justice Yeshwant Vishnu Chandrachud served as the 16th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from 1978 to 1985. He is the longest-serving Chief Justice in India's history, at seven years and four months. He was born on July 12th 1920 in Pune.
Top 10 Supreme Court Justices in American History
Can the president remove the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
No, the President cannot fire the Chief Justice or any Supreme Court Justice; they hold office during "good Behavior," meaning life tenure, and can only be removed through the impeachment process by Congress (House impeaches, Senate convicts). This lifetime appointment ensures judicial independence, protecting judges from executive and legislative pressure, and they serve until death, resignation, or removal.
How long did Ruth Bader Ginsburg serve on the Supreme Court?
On September 18, 2020, former President Clinton released a statement concerning the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. He stated that: her 27 years on the Court exceeded even my highest expectations when I appointed her.
What is the salary of the Chief Justice?
The salary for the U.S. Chief Justice is set by Congress, with the rate for 2024 being $312,200 annually, increasing to $317,500 in 2025, while Associate Justices earn slightly less. State chief justices have different salaries, such as Maryland's Chief Justice earning $255,433 as of July 1, 2025, and Nebraska's Chief Justice earning $231,857.65 as of July 1, 2026, highlighting significant variations across jurisdictions.
Who was the greatest Chief Justice of all time?
While "greatest" is subjective, John Marshall (4th Chief Justice) is overwhelmingly considered the most influential for establishing judicial review and federal power, laying the Supreme Court's foundation. Other contenders for impact include Earl Warren, known for civil rights, and Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., celebrated for his jurisprudence, but Marshall's foundational role in shaping American law sets him apart for many, earning him the moniker "the Great Chief Justice".
Why didn't Obama get to nominate a Supreme Court judge?
With the death of Antonin Scalia in February 2016 in the beginning of a presidential election year, the Republican majority in the Senate made it their stated policy to refuse to consider any nominee to the Supreme Court, arguing that the next president should be the one to appoint Scalia's replacement.
Who appointed more judges, Trump or Obama?
While President Obama appointed more judges overall (around 330-334) across his two terms compared to Donald Trump's single term (around 226-245), Trump appointed a higher proportion of powerful appellate court judges and more Supreme Court justices (three vs. Obama's two), significantly shifting the courts' ideological balance, especially the circuit courts.
Who is the greatest judge of all time?
The Greatest Judges of All Time: the Titans who defied history
- RUTH BADER GINSBURG (UNITED STATES, 1933-2020)
- THURGOOD MARSHALL (UNITED STATES, 1908-1993)
- LOUIS BRANDEIS (UNITED STATES, 1856-1941)
- JEAN-JACQUES CAMBACÉRÈS (FRANCE, 1753-1824)
- SALADIN (MIDDLE EAST, 1137-1193)
- THE ENDURING LEGACY: WHEN COURAGE CONQUERS FEAR.
What religion is Samuel A. Alito?
Alito was sworn in as an associate justice of the Supreme Court later that day. He became the 110th justice, the second Italian-American, the 11th Catholic in the history of the Supreme Court, the fifth Catholic on the Court at the time he assumed office, and one of six on the Court as of 2024.
Who is the oldest Supreme Court justice now serving?
The oldest current U.S. Supreme Court Justice is Clarence Thomas, born on June 23, 1948, making him the longest-serving and oldest member of the Court since Justice Breyer's retirement in 2022, serving since 1991 under President G.H.W. Bush.
What illness does Sotomayor have?
Sotomayor was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age seven and began taking daily insulin injections. Her father died of heart problems at age 42, when she was nine years old. After that, she became fluent in English.
Who is the only president to have served on the Supreme Court?
William Howard Taft is the only person to serve as both U.S. president and Supreme Court Chief Justice during his career. The Taft Court, which heard cases on child labor, minimum wage for women and the roles of state and federal government, among others.
Who is the most powerful judge in America?
The most powerful judge in the United States is generally considered to be the Chief Justice of the United States, currently John G. Roberts, Jr., because he leads the Supreme Court, heads the entire federal judiciary, and holds significant influence in shaping legal precedent and the Court's direction, even if his vote is just one of nine. His power comes from judicial leadership, managing close cases, and influencing the institutional reputation of the Supreme Court.
Who is the best Supreme Court justice ever?
No matter what selection criteria were used or whether the lists included state as well as United States Supreme Court justices, three people are always present: John Marshall, Joseph Story, and Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. These three un- doubtedly would head the roster of the best Supreme Court justices.
Which Supreme Court case had the largest impact on society?
Ferguson in the 1896 case and Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, probably the most famous of all civil rights cases, the Brown case. The 1896 Plessy case was a case in which the Supreme Court reviewed a state law requiring racial segregation. In this case it was taking about rail roads.
What is judge Judy's salary?
Judge Judy Sheindlin earned a reported $47 million annually for hosting her hit show, a figure she negotiated for years, making her one of the world's highest-paid TV hosts before the show ended in 2021. This substantial income came from her salary, plus a significant $100 million payout for selling the show's library rights to CBS. She continued earning large sums with her subsequent shows, Judy Justice and Justice on Trial, streaming on Amazon/Prime Video.
How much is the president's salary?
The U.S. President receives a $400,000 annual salary, a rate set in 2001, plus a $50,000 expense account for official duties, a $100,000 non-taxable travel account, and $19,000 for entertainment, along with perks like housing, healthcare, and security, though some presidents donate their salary.
Do Supreme Court justices get salary for life?
Yes, U.S. Supreme Court Justices receive a lifetime pension, equivalent to their final salary, once they retire under specific conditions, primarily serving a minimum of 10 years with their age and service years totaling 80 (the "Rule of 80"), ensuring financial security for their lifetime of service and judicial independence. They can also opt for "senior status," continuing to work part-time and earning their active salary while still eligible for retirement benefits later.
Can a sitting president remove a Supreme Court justice?
No, a President cannot remove a Supreme Court Justice; only Congress has the power to do so through the impeachment process (House impeaches, Senate convicts) for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors," ensuring judicial independence and lifetime tenure ("good behavior") for Article III judges.
What is Ruth Bader Ginsburg's most famous quote?
“Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”
What was Ruth Bader Ginsburg's GPA?
Over the course of her arguments before the high court, Ginsburg continued to improve, earning some Bs and B-s from the justice. Her final GPA was a 2.8.