William O. Douglas

William O. Douglas
Douglas in the 1930s
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
In office April 17, 1939 – November 12, 1975
Nominated by	Franklin D. Roosevelt
Preceded by	Louis Brandeis
Succeeded by	John Paul Stevens
3rd Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission
In office August 17, 1937 – April 15, 1939
President	Franklin D. Roosevelt
Preceded by	James Landis
Succeeded by	Jerome Frank
Personal details
Born	William Orville Douglas (1898-10-16)October 16, 1898 Maine Township, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	January 19, 1980(1980-01-19) (aged 81) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Mildred Riddle ​ ​ (m. 1923; div. 1953)​ Mercedes Hester Davidson ​ ​ (m. 1954; div. 1963)​ Joan Martin ​ ​ (m. 1963; div. 1966)​ Cathleen Heffernan ​ (m. 1966)​
Children	2
Education	Whitman College (BA) Columbia University (LLB)

William Orville Douglas (October 16, 1898 – January 19, 1980) was an American jurist and politician who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1939 until 1975. He was known for his strong progressive views. He is seen as the Supreme Court's most liberal justice ever, and supported expanding individual rights on a number of fields. So far, he served the longest time of any justice, and wrote the most opinions.

Finally, Douglas was forced to retire in 1975 after a severe stroke. He was previously a politician for the Democratic party and several influential liberals wanted him for vice president alongside Franklin D. Roosevelt for the 1944 presidential elections.