Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Supreme Court

Artemus Ward; Christopher Brough and Robert Arnold

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.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 686 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9¼

978-0-8108-7248-6 • Hardback • August 2015 • $205.00 • (£158.00)

978-0-8108-7521-0 • eBook • August 2015 • $194.50 • (£150.00)

Series: Historical Dictionaries of U.S. Politics and Political Eras

Subjects: Political Science / American Government / Judicial Branch, Law / Government / Federal, Reference / Curiosities & Wonders

Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Supreme Court

Hardback

eBook

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.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 686 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9¼

978-0-8108-7248-6 • Hardback • August 2015 • $205.00 • (£158.00)

978-0-8108-7521-0 • eBook • August 2015 • $194.50 • (£150.00)

Series: Historical Dictionaries of U.S. Politics and Political Eras

Subjects: Political Science / American Government / Judicial Branch, Law / Government / Federal, Reference / Curiosities & Wonders

Author

Artemus Ward is professor of political science at Northern Illinois University. His books include Deciding to Leave: The Politics of Retirement from the United States Supreme Court (2003), Sorcerers’ Apprentices: 100 Years of Law Clerks at the United States Supreme Court (2006), In Chambers: Stories of Law Clerks and Their Justices (2012), and The Puzzle of Unanimity: Consensus on the United States Supreme Court (2013).

Christopher Brough is a PhD student in the Political Science department at Northern Illinois University.

Robert Arnold is an MA student in the Political Science department at Northern Illinois University.

Table of Contents

Editor’s Foreword, Jon Woronoff
Preface
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Chronology
Introduction
THE DICTIONARY
Appendixes
1. Constitution of the United States, 1787
2. Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court
3. Failed Supreme Court Nominees
4. Longest Serving Supreme Court Justices
5. Judicial Ideology: Aggregate Voting of Supreme Court Justices in Civil Liberties Cases, 1946-2004
Bibliography
About the Authors

Reviews

Part of the ‘Historical Dictionary’ series on US politics, this latest foray is the first to address the judicial branch of the federal government, focusing on the Supreme Court as a political institution. Ward, assisted by two graduate students, is very knowledgeable on the subject, having written several books on the Court. At more than 600 pages, this hefty volume provides a comprehensive source of information on all matters pertaining to the Court and, thus, makes for an excellent quick reference. Noteworthy are its extensive chronology, 35-page introduction qua historical essay (well worth reading), and five appendixes. . . .The current work should find a place alongside similar works not only in collections of academic and law libraries, but those supporting political science programs. Public libraries should also consider purchasing. Summing Up: Recommended. All readership levels.
— Choice Reviews

This is a good factual reference book. . . .Students struggling to find their way through 226 years of Supreme Court jurisprudence will welcome it.
— Reference Reviews

“An excellent treatment of… a vast topic…. It deserves to be a research tool for all involved in academics and teaching to judges and attorneys…. [The] opening introduction is most helpful and captures the dynamics of the personalities and social aspects of the Court’s growth and its justices. The extensive cross-referencing also provides the reader with a much easier way to follow up on [the] many citations.”
— Hon. George T. Anagnost, Municipal Court Judge, Peoria, Arizona

Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Supreme Court

Artemus Ward; Christopher Brough and Robert Arnold

Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Supreme Court

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