William Orville Douglas

Douglas, William Orville (1898–1960), justice of the U.S. Supreme Court 1939–75, the longest tenure to date. An expert on business law, he had been chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a justice he favored a broad exercise of court powers and was an ardent defender of civil rights and free speech. He wrote some 30 books, many defending nature and wilderness.

See also: Supreme Court of the United States.