William O. Douglas

William Orville Douglas (October 16, 1898 ? January 19, 1980) was a United States Supreme Court Associate Justice.

Retirement and family life

On December 31, 1974, while on vacation in the Bahamas, Douglas suffered a debilitating stroke. Severely disabled, Douglas nevertheless insisted on continuing to participate in Supreme Court affairs, despite his obvious incapacity. In one of the most wrenching episodes in Supreme Court history, seven of Douglas's fellow justices voted to put any argued case in which Douglas's vote might make a difference over to the next term. At the urging of his friend and former student Abe Fortas, Douglas finally retired on November 12, 1975, after 36 years of service. While President Gerald Ford was gracious upon Douglas's retirement, the irony is inescapable that his most bitter political enemy was allowed to name his replacement on the Court.

Related Topics:
December 31 - 1974 - Bahamas - Stroke - Abe Fortas - November 12 - 1975 - Gerald Ford

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Douglas married four times. He was married to Mildred Riddle from 1923 to 1953, Mercedes Hester Davidson from 1954 to 1963, Joan Martin from 1963 to 1965, and Cathleen Heffernan (a law student many years his junior) from 1965 until his death. His first marriage produced two children, Mildred and William O. Douglas, Jr.

Related Topics:
1923 - 1953 - 1954 - 1963 - 1965

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He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, near the grave of former Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.. The William O. Douglas Wilderness, which adjoins Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state, is named in his honor, as Douglas had, in his youth, often visited the park with his family.

Related Topics:
Arlington National Cemetery - Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. - Mount Rainier National Park

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