Oliver Wendell Holmes facts for kids
Oliver Wendell Holmes is a name that belongs to several important people, especially in American history. When you hear this name, it often refers to either a famous poet and doctor or his equally famous son, who was a very important judge. This page will help you learn about these interesting figures and why they are remembered today.
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Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.: Poet and Physician
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. (born in 1809, died in 1894) was a brilliant American writer, doctor, and teacher. He was known for his clever poems, essays, and stories. He was also a respected physician who taught at Harvard Medical School.
Early Life and Education
Holmes Sr. was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He came from a family with a long history in America. He studied at Harvard College, where he showed a great talent for writing. After college, he studied medicine in Paris, France, which was a leading center for medical knowledge at the time.
Medical Career
When he returned to the United States, Holmes Sr. became a doctor. He taught anatomy at Dartmouth College and later at Harvard Medical School. He was a pioneer in understanding how diseases spread. He famously wrote about how doctors could prevent "childbed fever," a dangerous infection that affected mothers after childbirth. His ideas helped save many lives.
Literary Works
Besides his medical work, Holmes Sr. was a very popular writer. He was part of a group of famous New England writers called the "Fireside Poets." They wrote poems that people often read by the fireplace. Some of his most famous poems include "Old Ironsides," which helped save a historic warship, and "The Chambered Nautilus." He also wrote many essays and novels, often using humor and wit to share his ideas.
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.: The Great Dissenter
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. (born in 1841, died in 1935) was the son of Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. He became one of the most famous and influential judges in American history. He served on the highest court in the United States, the Supreme Court, for over 30 years.
Military Service
Before becoming a judge, Holmes Jr. fought in the American Civil War. He was a Union Army officer and was wounded three times in battle. His experiences in the war deeply influenced his views on law and life.
Legal Career and Supreme Court
After the war, Holmes Jr. studied law and became a lawyer. He taught law at Harvard Law School and later became a judge on the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Judicial Philosophy
As a Supreme Court Justice, Holmes Jr. was known for his unique way of thinking about the law. He believed that the law should change as society changes. He is famous for his "dissents," which are opinions where a judge disagrees with the majority decision of the court. Many of his dissenting opinions later became the accepted view of the law. He strongly supported freedom of speech, even for unpopular ideas. His ideas continue to influence legal thinking today.
Schools Named After Them
Both Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. and Jr. have schools named in their honor.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior High School in Davis, California, is named after Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes High School in San Antonio, Texas, is named after Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
See also
In Spanish: Oliver Wendell Holmes para niños
- Oliver Wendell Holmes House, the historic home of Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.