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William Strong

1870–1880·Appointed by Ulysses S. Grant·Republican·Moderate

Details

Birth: May 6, 1808 · Somers, Connecticut
Death: August 19, 1895
Law school: yale university
Prior experience: Various legal and public service prior to appointment

Biography

William Strong (May 6, 1808 – August 19, 1895) was an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1870 to 1880. Born in Somers, Connecticut, Strong graduated from Yale College in 1828 and subsequently studied law, gaining admission to the Pennsylvania bar in 1832. He established a successful legal practice in Reading, Pennsylvania, and entered politics as a Democrat, serving two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1847 to 1851. During his congressional tenure, Strong supported the Compromise of 1850 but opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories. He later served on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court from 1857 to 1868, where he developed a reputation for careful legal reasoning and strict constitutional interpretation. President Ulysses S. Grant nominated Strong to the Supreme Court in February 1870, partly to ensure a favorable ruling on the Legal Tender Cases, as Strong had previously supported the constitutionality of paper money as legal tender. Strong's judicial philosophy emphasized textualism and deference to legislative authority within constitutional bounds. His most significant opinion came in the Legal Tender Cases (1871), where he wrote for the majority upholding Congress's power to issue paper money during wartime emergencies. He also authored important decisions regarding federal jurisdiction and commerce regulation. Strong was known for his methodical approach to legal analysis and his ability to build consensus among his colleagues. He voluntarily retired from the Court in 1880 at age 72, citing his belief that justices should step down while still mentally sharp. After retirement, Strong remained active in legal and religious affairs, advocating for international arbitration and serving in various Presbyterian Church organizations until his death in 1895.