Justice Hugo Black

Justice Hugo Black was an influential associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, serving from 1937 to 1971. Appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Black was known for his strong advocacy of civil liberties and the First Amendment, believing in a broad interpretation of free speech and due process. A former member of the Ku Klux Klan, he later renounced that affiliation, emphasizing equality under the law. His decisions often reflected his commitment to protecting individual rights, making him a key figure in shaping modern American constitutional law. Black’s legacy continues to influence discussions on civil rights today.