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Robert JacksonAttorney General and Justice of the United States Supreme Court
Date of Birth: 13.02.1892
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Robert H. Jackson: Jurist and Prosecutor
- Government Service and Rise to Prominence
- Attorney General and Supreme Court Justice
- Nuremberg Trials
- Legacy and Impact
Robert H. Jackson: Jurist and Prosecutor
Early Life and Legal CareerRobert H. Jackson was born in Spring Creek, Pennsylvania, and raised in Frewsburg, New York. At 18, he began working as a law clerk in Jamestown, taking a year off for law school in Albany. Admitted to the bar at age 21, he embarked on a successful private practice.
Government Service and Rise to Prominence
In 1934, Jackson entered government service as General Counsel for the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Within two years, he became Assistant Attorney General and later headed the Tax and Antitrust Divisions. In 1938, he served as Solicitor General of the United States. Jackson played a prominent role in several high-profile cases during the Roosevelt New Deal, including the tax evasion case against former Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon and the antitrust case against Alcoa.
Attorney General and Supreme Court Justice
In 1940, Jackson was appointed Attorney General. A year later, he was elevated to the Supreme Court following a vacancy. Jackson served on the Court for 13 years and became known for his influential opinions and dissents. Notable cases include West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, in which the Court overturned a requirement that students salute the American flag.
Nuremberg Trials
In 1945, President Truman appointed Jackson as the Chief U.S. Prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials. Jackson played a key role in drafting the charter of the International Military Tribunal and led the American prosecution team, assisted by Thomas Dodd.
Legacy and Impact
Robert H. Jackson died in 1954 at age 62, shortly after participating in the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education, which outlawed school segregation. Jackson's legal writings and jurisprudence continue to be cited by courts and scholars today. He is remembered as one of the most influential jurists and prosecutors in American history.
