Antonin Scalia

Antonin Scalia was a highly influential American jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1986 until his death in 2016. Born in 1936 in Trenton, New Jersey, Scalia was known for his strong conservative views and his advocacy of originalism—the idea that the Constitution should be interpreted according to its original meaning at the time it was written. Appointed by President Ronald Reagan, Scalia became one of the most prominent and often polarizing figures on the Court.

Throughout his judicial career, Scalia was celebrated for his sharp wit, eloquent opinions, and unwavering commitment to textualism and judicial restraint. He authored many landmark opinions that shaped American law, particularly on issues of constitutional interpretation, administrative law, and the separation of powers. Beyond the bench, he was a professor and scholar, contributing significantly to legal thought and debate in the United States.

One of Antonin Scalia’s famous quotes is: "The Constitution is not a living document. It’s dead, there’s no other way to read it." He also asserted, "Judges are like baseball umpires. Umpires don’t make the rules, they apply them." These statements highlight his judicial philosophy that the role of a judge is to apply the law as written, rather than to interpret it based on contemporary values or personal beliefs.