Owen Roberts

Owen Roberts
File:ROBERTS, OWEN. JUDGE LCCN2016861995.jpg: Harris & Ewing, photographer deriv · Public domain · source
Name	Owen Roberts
Birth date	May 2, 1875
Birth place	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Death date	May 17, 1955
Death place	West Vincent Township, Pennsylvania
Alma mater	University of Pennsylvania
Occupation	Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

Owen Roberts was an American lawyer, Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, serving from 1930 to 1945. He was appointed by President Herbert Hoover and played a crucial role in shaping the Supreme Court of the United States during a tumultuous period in American history, including the Great Depression and World War II. Roberts' tenure on the court was marked by significant decisions, including Nebbia v. New York and West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish, which involved Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies and the National Industrial Recovery Act. His judicial philosophy was influenced by Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. and Louis Brandeis, and he often found himself at odds with Justice Pierce Butler and Justice James Clark McReynolds.

● Early Life and Education

Owen Roberts was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Joseph Owen Roberts and Emma Lafferty Roberts, and grew up in a family of modest means, with his father working as a gas company employee. He attended Central High School of Philadelphia and later enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1895 and his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1898. During his time at the university, he was heavily influenced by William Draper Lewis, a prominent law professor and Dean of the University of Pennsylvania Law School. After graduating, Roberts worked as a law clerk for Justice William M. Lanning of the New Jersey Supreme Court and later practiced law in Philadelphia with the firm Dechert LLP.

● Career

Roberts began his academic career as a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1898 and eventually became a full professor in 1907, teaching courses on contracts and torts. He was a popular professor among his students, including James Wilson, who would later become a United States District Judge. In 1930, Roberts was nominated by President Herbert Hoover to fill the Supreme Court seat vacated by Justice Edward Terry Sanford, and he was confirmed by the United States Senate with a vote of 76-0. During his time on the court, Roberts heard cases involving labor law, civil rights, and federal power, including Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States and Carter v. Carter Coal Co.. He also played a key role in the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the National Industrial Recovery Act in National Industrial Recovery Act cases.

● Major Contributions

Roberts' most significant contribution to the Supreme Court was his role in the Court's shift towards upholding New Deal legislation, including the National Industrial Recovery Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act. His opinion in West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish marked a significant turning point in the Court's jurisprudence, as it upheld the constitutionality of minimum wage laws and paved the way for further New Deal reforms. Roberts also played a crucial role in the Court's decision to strike down the National Industrial Recovery Act in Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States, which led to the passage of the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act. His opinions were often influenced by Justice Louis Brandeis and Justice Harlan F. Stone, and he frequently found himself at odds with Justice James Clark McReynolds and Justice Pierce Butler.

● Legacy

Owen Roberts' legacy is complex and multifaceted, with some historians viewing him as a key figure in the Supreme Court's shift towards upholding New Deal legislation, while others see him as a conservative justice who often voted to strike down liberal reforms. Despite this, his opinions continue to be cited by lawyers and judges today, including in cases such as Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Roberts' impact on the Supreme Court was also felt through his influence on Justice Felix Frankfurter and Justice William O. Douglas, who both served on the court during the New Deal era. His legacy extends beyond the Supreme Court, as his opinions have shaped the development of labor law and civil rights law in the United States.

● Personal Life

Owen Roberts married Reba Hahn in 1906, and the couple had one daughter, Elizabeth Roberts. He was a member of the American Bar Association and the American Law Institute, and he served on the board of trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. Roberts was also a close friend of Justice Louis Brandeis and Justice Harlan F. Stone, and he often spent his summers at his home in West Vincent Township, Pennsylvania, where he enjoyed gardening and hiking. After retiring from the Supreme Court in 1945, Roberts returned to Philadelphia and practiced law with the firm Dechert LLP until his death in 1955. He is buried in West Vincent Township, Pennsylvania, and his papers are housed at the University of Pennsylvania Library. Category:Supreme Court Justices