Historical dictionary of the U.S. Supreme Court

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Where to find it

Law Library — 2nd Floor Collection (2nd floor)

Call Number
KF8742.A35 W37 2015
Status
Available

Summary

The US Supreme Court is an institution that operates almost totally behind closed doors. This book opens those doors by providing a comprehensive look at the justices, procedures, cases, and issues over the institution's more than 200-year history. The Court is a legal institution born from a highly politicized process. Modern justices time their departures to coincide with favorable administrations and the confirmation process has become a highly-charged political spectacle played out on television and in the national press. Throughout its history, the Court has been at the center of the most important issues facing the nation: federalism, separation of powers, war, slavery, civil rights, and civil liberties. Through it all, the Court has generally, though not always, reflected the broad views of the American people as the justices decide the most vexing issues of the day.



The Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Supreme Court covers its history through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 700 cross-referenced entries on every justice, major case, issue, and process that comprises the Court's work. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the Supreme Court.



Contents

Acronyms and abbreviations -- Chronology -- Introduction -- The dictionary -- Appendix A: Constitution of the United States (1787) -- Appendix B: Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court -- Appendix C: Failed Supreme Court nominees -- Appendix D: Longest-serving Supreme Court justices -- Appendix E: Judicial ideology : aggregate liberal voting of Supreme Court justices in civil liberties cases, 1946-2004.

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