James Clark McReynolds, American lawyer and judge (d. 1946)

James Clark McReynolds, born on February 3, 1862, in Elkton, Kentucky, and passing away on August 24, 1946, was a prominent American lawyer and judge whose career spanned significant governmental roles. A graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, he initially established his legal practice in Tennessee. McReynolds is most widely recognized today for his service as United States Attorney General under President Woodrow Wilson and, more significantly, as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. His judicial tenure, which lasted from October 1914 until his retirement in January 1941, was marked by his staunch conservatism and, notably, his vocal opposition to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs. Beyond his legal prowess, McReynolds's legacy is also deeply intertwined with his widely criticized personality, which included documented instances of overt anti-Semitism and racism.

Early Career and Rise to Prominence

McReynolds's distinguished legal career began with a focus on antitrust litigation. His expertise in this complex field gained national attention during his service as Assistant Attorney General under President Theodore Roosevelt. In this role, he played a crucial part in the administration's efforts to dismantle monopolies and enforce competition, earning a reputation for his incisive legal mind and rigorous application of the law.

Attorney General of the United States

In 1913, upon assuming the presidency, Woodrow Wilson appointed McReynolds as his administration's first Attorney General. Though his tenure in this cabinet position was relatively brief, it highlighted his continued dedication to legal enforcement at the federal level. Just a year later, in 1914, President Wilson successfully nominated McReynolds to the Supreme Court to fill the vacancy created by the death of Associate Justice Horace Harmon Lurton, solidifying his ascent to the highest echelons of the American judiciary.

A Controversial Tenure on the Supreme Court

During his twenty-six years on the Supreme Court bench, James Clark McReynolds made a substantial impact through his judicial opinions. He authored 506 majority opinions for the Court, reflecting his consistent presence in shaping the nation's legal landscape. Additionally, he penned 157 dissenting opinions, 93 of which were specifically aimed at the domestic programs initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal.

The "Four Horsemen" and Opposition to the New Deal

McReynolds was a central figure within a conservative bloc of justices on the Supreme Court, famously known as the "Four Horsemen." This unofficial moniker, evoking the biblical figures of the Apocalypse, referred to four justices—James Clark McReynolds, Pierce Butler, George Sutherland, and Willis Van Devanter—who consistently voted to strike down key legislative initiatives of the New Deal. Their opposition stemmed from a strict constructionist interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, particularly concerning the limits of federal power under the Commerce Clause and the Tenth Amendment. They viewed many New Deal programs, such as the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) and the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA), as unconstitutional federal overreach into areas traditionally reserved for state control or individual economic liberty. This persistent judicial resistance led to significant tension between the executive and judicial branches during the 1930s, culminating in President Roosevelt's controversial "court-packing plan" in 1937, though this plan ultimately failed.

Defining Majority Opinions and Their Impact

Despite his prominent dissents against the New Deal, McReynolds also authored several landmark majority opinions that have had a lasting influence on American constitutional law:

• Meyer v. Nebraska (1923): In this pivotal case, McReynolds wrote the majority opinion striking down a Nebraska law that prohibited the teaching of modern foreign languages to students below the eighth grade. The Court found that the law violated the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, asserting a fundamental liberty interest in parents' right to direct their children's education and teachers' right to pursue their profession. This decision laid foundational groundwork for substantive due process and individual liberties.
• Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925): Building on the principles of Meyer, McReynolds again authored the majority opinion, striking down an Oregon law that mandated all children between the ages of eight and sixteen attend public schools. The Court ruled that the statute unconstitutionally interfered with the right of parents to choose private education for their children and the right of private schools to operate, further solidifying the concept of parental rights in education.
• Adams v. Tanner (1917): This case saw McReynolds delivering the majority opinion that invalidated a Washington state law prohibiting employment agencies from charging fees to workers. The Court found this law to be an unconstitutional restriction on the freedom to contract, protected under the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause.
• United States v. Miller (1939): In a significant early interpretation of the Second Amendment, McReynolds wrote the majority opinion upholding the National Firearms Act of 1934. The Court ruled that the Second Amendment protects only the right to keep and bear arms that have "some reasonable relationship to the preservation or efficiency of a well-regulated militia," thereby limiting the scope of the right to individual citizens.

Controversial Personality and Enduring Legacy

Beyond his legal opinions, McReynolds is remembered for his difficult and often offensive temperament. His personality was widely viewed negatively, characterized by a generally disagreeable demeanor, and, most notably, documented instances of overt anti-Semitism and racism. For example, he notoriously refused to speak to Justice Louis Brandeis, the first Jewish justice, for several years, and often turned his chair away from him on the bench. He also avoided interacting with Justice Benjamin Cardozo and Justice Thurgood Marshall, often showing disdain for them. These aspects of his character, coupled with his judicial philosophy, often lead to his inclusion in lists of the "worst" Supreme Court justices by legal scholars and historians. His retirement in January 1941, after assuming senior status, opened a vacancy on the Court that was filled by James F. Byrnes, who later served as Secretary of State under President Harry S. Truman.

Frequently Asked Questions About Justice James Clark McReynolds

Who was James Clark McReynolds?

James Clark McReynolds was an American lawyer and judge who served as United States Attorney General under President Woodrow Wilson and, most prominently, as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States for 26 years (1914-1941).

What is James Clark McReynolds best known for?

McReynolds is best known for his staunch conservative judicial philosophy, particularly his strong opposition to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs as part of the "Four Horsemen" bloc on the Supreme Court, and for his controversial personality, which included documented anti-Semitism and racism.

What were the "Four Horsemen"?

The "Four Horsemen" was a nickname for a group of four conservative Supreme Court justices—James Clark McReynolds, Pierce Butler, George Sutherland, and Willis Van Devanter—who frequently voted together to strike down New Deal legislation, arguing it exceeded federal constitutional authority.

What notable Supreme Court cases did McReynolds author?

Among his significant majority opinions were Meyer v. Nebraska (1923) and Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925), which affirmed parental rights in education and individual liberties, and United States v. Miller (1939), an early interpretation of the Second Amendment.

When did James Clark McReynolds retire from the Supreme Court?

James Clark McReynolds retired from the Supreme Court in January 1941, assuming senior status.