Justice Breyer: Just the Facts

With Justice Breyer’s retirement tomorrow here are some facts about the justice and his career on and before joining the Court:

He was the 22nd longest serving justice at 28 years on the Court (Douglas was longest serving at 36 years).
Was nominated at 55 by President Clinton in 1994
Had a well-qualified rating from the ABA
Senate hearing took four days
He was confirmed on a vote of 87 to 9
Took over Justice Blackmun’s seat
Tied for 61st oldest justice when nominated at 55 years old. Youngest were Justices Story and William Johnson who were nominated at 32.
Seventh oldest departing justice at 84. Ginsburg was 87. At the top Stevens and Holmes were both 90.
Born in San Francisco CA. One of three justices born in CA, New York has the most with 15
Grew up in an urban environment like 39 other justices
Grew up in an upper-middle class household like 31 other justices. The most justices grew up in upper class houses
Is Jewish like 7 other justices beginning with Brandeis
Went to Stanford undergrad like three other justices. The most justices went to Princeton.
Went to Harvard law like 18 other justices. The most justices went to Harvard Law.
His father was a lawyer like 25 other justices.
Breyer clerked for Justice Goldberg
Never worked in private practice as a lawyer
Taught at Harvard Law
Sat on the First Circuit from 1980 until 1994 when he was confirmed to the Supreme Court
Was one of two justices who sat on the First Circuit. The most have sat on the DC Circuit with eight justices.
Was on the US Sentencing Commission from 1985 until 1989
Is male like 109 other justices. Only five total women so far (six with KBJ)

* Help from data pooled from the Supreme Court Justices Database