Retired Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter, known for his ascetic lifestyle and unexpected liberal leanings, has passed away at the age of 85 at his home in New Hampshire. Souter, a New Hampshire Republican, served on the Supreme Court for nearly 20 years and garnered favor among liberals for his stance on various key issues. He retired in June 2009, creating a vacancy that was filled by President Barack Obama with the historic appointment of Sonia Sotomayor, the court’s first Latina justice. Initially appointed by George H.W. Bush in 1990, Souter consistently sided with liberal viewpoints on matters such as abortion, church-state relations, freedom of expression, and the accessibility of federal courts. His unexpected alignment with liberal ideologies added depth to the dynamics of the Supreme Court during his tenure. Souter’s passing marks the end of an era in the realm of American jurisprudence, and his legacy as a thoughtful and independent-minded justice will endure in the annals of legal history.