William Rehnquist
William Rehnquist was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 1, 1924. (William H. Rehnquist) He a fairly standard childhood. His father was a paper salesman, and his conservatism definitely influenced Rehnquist. World War II erupted before Rehnquist had a chance to complete his education. He was enlisted in the air force as a weather observer. He served in North Africa throughout WWII. (William H. Rehnquist)
Rehnquist attended college after World War II with the help of a scholarship from the GI Bill. (William H. Rehnquist) He attended Stanford, and earned both a bachelor and a master of arts degree in political science. He was a distinguished student and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in 1948. Rehnquist went back to school in 1950 at Stanford Law School; he graduated at the top of his class. Sandra Day O'Connor graduated third from that same class, she would eventually serve with him on the Supreme Court. (William H. Rehnquist)
When Richard Nixon rose to the presidency, he appointed Kleindienst deputy attorney general of his administration. (William H. Rehnquist) Rehnquist was recruited by Kleindienst for the position of deputy attorney general in the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel. In 1971 when Justice John Marshall Harlan retired, President Nixon chose Rehnquist as Harlan's replacement.The Senate, mostly Democratic at the time, overwhelmingly confirmed his nomination. On January 7, 1972, Rehnquist took his oath of office. (William H. Rehnquist)
By 1986, Rehnquist held significant power. (William H. Rehnquist) When Chief Justice Burger retired from the Supreme Court, Rehnquist was nominated to replace him. The Liberals strongly protested. Many thought of Rehnquist as a racist and conservative extremist. Opponents accused him of racist behavior when he was a Republican official in Phoenix. he was also charged of having mishandled his families trust. In the end these accusations went unproved and Rehnquist was confirmed by a solid majority. (William H. Rehnquist)
Though his physical condition declined, he continued in his role as chief justice and died on September 3, 2005, anapestic thyroid cancer. (William H. Rehnquist)
Rehnquist attended college after World War II with the help of a scholarship from the GI Bill. (William H. Rehnquist) He attended Stanford, and earned both a bachelor and a master of arts degree in political science. He was a distinguished student and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in 1948. Rehnquist went back to school in 1950 at Stanford Law School; he graduated at the top of his class. Sandra Day O'Connor graduated third from that same class, she would eventually serve with him on the Supreme Court. (William H. Rehnquist)
When Richard Nixon rose to the presidency, he appointed Kleindienst deputy attorney general of his administration. (William H. Rehnquist) Rehnquist was recruited by Kleindienst for the position of deputy attorney general in the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel. In 1971 when Justice John Marshall Harlan retired, President Nixon chose Rehnquist as Harlan's replacement.The Senate, mostly Democratic at the time, overwhelmingly confirmed his nomination. On January 7, 1972, Rehnquist took his oath of office. (William H. Rehnquist)
By 1986, Rehnquist held significant power. (William H. Rehnquist) When Chief Justice Burger retired from the Supreme Court, Rehnquist was nominated to replace him. The Liberals strongly protested. Many thought of Rehnquist as a racist and conservative extremist. Opponents accused him of racist behavior when he was a Republican official in Phoenix. he was also charged of having mishandled his families trust. In the end these accusations went unproved and Rehnquist was confirmed by a solid majority. (William H. Rehnquist)
Though his physical condition declined, he continued in his role as chief justice and died on September 3, 2005, anapestic thyroid cancer. (William H. Rehnquist)