Owen Roberts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Owen J. Roberts
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| Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States | |
| In office May 20, 1930 – July 31, 1945 |
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| Nominated by | Herbert Hoover |
| Preceded by | Edward Terry Sanford |
| Succeeded by | Harold Hitz Burton |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Owen Josephus Roberts
May 2, 1875 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | May 17, 1955 (aged 80) West Vincent, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Elizabeth Rogers
(m. 1904) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | University of Pennsylvania (BA, LLB) |
Owen Josephus Roberts (May 2, 1875 – May 17, 1955) was an important American judge. He served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1930 to 1945. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States.
Roberts also led two special groups called the Roberts Commissions. One commission looked into the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. The other focused on protecting valuable cultural items during the war.
Born in Philadelphia, Roberts studied law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He became a lawyer and later a district attorney in Philadelphia. President Calvin Coolidge chose him to investigate the famous Teapot Dome scandal. This scandal involved government officials taking bribes related to oil reserves.
In 1930, President Herbert Hoover nominated Roberts to the Supreme Court. Roberts was confirmed easily and began his work as a justice.
On the Supreme Court, Roberts was often a "swing vote." This meant his vote could decide if a law passed or not. He was especially important during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs. These programs aimed to help the country recover from the Great Depression.
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Early Life and Legal Career
Owen J. Roberts was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He went to Germantown Academy and then the University of Pennsylvania at age 16. He studied Greek and was a top student. He graduated from law school in 1898.
Roberts first became known as an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia. Later, President Calvin Coolidge asked him to investigate the Teapot Dome scandal. This investigation led to the conviction of a former government official for taking bribes.
Time on the Supreme Court
President Herbert Hoover appointed Roberts to the Supreme Court. This happened after the Senate rejected Hoover's first choice, John J. Parker.
As a justice, Roberts often found himself in the middle of two groups of judges. One group wanted to allow the government more power to create laws like the New Deal. The other group, known as the Four Horsemen, believed the government should have less power.
In 1936, Roberts sided with the "Four Horsemen" in a case called United States v. Butler. This decision struck down a New Deal law about farming.
The "Switch in Time"
Roberts changed his view on the New Deal laws in late 1936. In 1937, the Supreme Court decided the case of West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish. In this case, Roberts voted to uphold a state law about minimum wage. This decision was a big change.
This shift was called "the switch in time that saved nine." It referred to President Roosevelt's plan to add more justices to the Supreme Court. This plan was known as the "Court-packing plan." Many people thought Roberts changed his vote to prevent Roosevelt from adding new justices.
However, Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes later said that Roberts had decided to uphold the minimum wage law before Roosevelt announced his court-packing plan. Roberts and Hughes both felt that Roosevelt's re-election showed strong public support for the New Deal. This made them realize the Court needed to adapt.
Other Important Rulings and Commissions
Roberts wrote the main opinion in New Negro Alliance v. Sanitary Grocery Co. This case protected the right to boycott against unfair hiring practices. This was important for African Americans fighting discrimination.
President Roosevelt also asked Roberts to lead a commission investigating the attack on Pearl Harbor. The commission's report came out in 1942. It was critical of the U.S. military's actions before the attack.
Roberts disagreed with the Court's decision in Korematsu v. United States (1944). This case upheld the government's decision to put Japanese-Americans in internment camps during World War II. Roberts believed this was wrong.
Another group Roberts led was the second Roberts Commission. This group was created in 1943. Its goal was to protect important art and historical items in war zones. This commission also helped create a unit to investigate Nazi theft of art in Europe.
Towards the end of his time on the Court, Roberts was the only justice not appointed by President Roosevelt. He became frustrated because the newer justices often overturned older decisions. In 1944, he strongly disagreed with the decision in Smith v. Allwright. This case made "white primaries" illegal. White primaries were elections where only white people could vote.
Retirement from the Court
Roberts retired from the Supreme Court in 1945. His relationships with his fellow justices had become difficult. Some justices even refused to sign a letter thanking him for his service.
After leaving the Court, Roberts reportedly burned all his legal papers. Because of this, there are not many records of his work as a judge.
Later Life
After retiring, Roberts worked on a plan to change the U.N. General Assembly. He wanted it to become a world legislature with power to prevent wars.
He also served as the Dean of the University of Pennsylvania Law School from 1948 to 1951.
Owen J. Roberts passed away in 1955 at his farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He was survived by his wife, Elizabeth Caldwell Rogers, and their daughter.
Several places were named in his honor. Germantown Academy named its debate society after him. A school district in Pennsylvania, the Owen J. Roberts School District, also carries his name.
