21-05-2025
In pictures: Supreme Court Justice David Souter
Souter, right, leaves the US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Castle, New Hampshire, in 1969. At the time, he was the assistant attorney general of New Hampshire. AP
Souter was born in Massachusetts, but he grew up and attended grade school in New Hampshire. He went on to attend Harvard University, the University of Oxford, and Harvard Law School. Ken Williams/Concord Monitor/AP
Souter signs documents after being sworn in. With him, from left, are Rehnquist, Antonin Scalia, Sandra Day O'Connor, Thurgood Marshall, Anthony Kennedy, Harry Blackmun and John Paul Stevens. Ken Heinen/Pool/AP
Souter works with a group to promote civics education in New Hampshire schools in 2009. In a break with today's norms, Souter retired from the Supreme Court that year, seeking a return to his contemplative life in New Hampshire. Souter was only 69 when he stepped down – far younger than most departing justices. He never married, and he was never fond of the Washington social scene. Jim Cole/AP
Souter, second from left, stands with members of the Supreme Court before a procession marking Harvard Law School's bicentennial in 2017. Standing with him, from left, are Anthony Kennedy, John Roberts, Elena Kagan, Stephen Breyer and Neil Gorsuch. Jessica Rinaldi/The