Clarence Thomas has served as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court since 1991. Born on June 23, 1948, in Pin Point, Georgia, he pursued studies in seminary before earning a bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross in 1971 and a law degree from Yale Law School in 1974.
His legal career includes roles as Assistant Attorney General in Missouri, legislative assistant to Senator John Danforth, and Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) from 1982 to 1990.
Nominated to the Supreme Court by President George H. W. Bush, Thomas is known for his originalist and textualist interpretations of the Constitution. Over his tenure, he has become the Court’s longest-serving member and a leading conservative voice. His jurisprudence has significantly influenced decisions on issues like gun rights and abortion.
In recent years, Thomas’s influence has grown, particularly during President Donald Trump’s administration, with many of his former clerks appointed to various positions. His legal philosophy continues to shape the direction of the Supreme Court and the broader judicial landscape.