Justice David Souter: Old-Fashioned Thrift

I had never known very much about David Souter until he announced his retirement from the Supreme Court. His actions and lifestyle are from a bygone era of continual personal improvement, unwavering thrift, and a private life without any frills. His appointment was controversial as he was considered a victory for the republicans, but ended up being an Justice with unpredictable leanings. If his life had been examined at all by his backers, they would have realized that he was a conservative in the old Eastern tradition, not the modern Texas tradition of George H.W. Bush.


David Souter is a bachelor, which helps in the simplicity department, but the only home he has ever owned is his rustic family homestead in rural New Hampshire. While working in D.C. Souter lived in a sparce apartment and ate only yogurt and an apple for lunch every day. Because of his thrift, and a shrewd investment in a bank, he was one of the wealthiest members on the bench of the Supreme Court.

This brings to mind the perennial plea of Justice Roberts to raise the salary of the Supreme Court Justices that wavers around the $200,000 mark. This salary, of course, is in addition to a lifetime appointment and a very generous pension. In light of Souter's thrift, however, Robert's request for a standard of living adjustment seems a little absurd.

P.S. Doesn't Souter in the above picture resemble Bud Court in Harold and Maude?