Harlan, John Marshall (1899–1971)

US jurist and Supreme Court associate justice 1954–71. Chief counsel for the New York Crime Commission 1951–53, Harlan was appointed by President Dwight D Eisenhower to the US Supreme Court in 1954. As associate justice, he was a conservative, especially in the areas of free speech and civil and criminal rights.

Born in Chicago, and educated at Princeton and Oxford universities, Harlan studied law at New York University and was admitted to the bar in 1925. After service in the US attorney's office 1925–27 he joined the staff of the state attorney general 1928–30. Harlan later established a private practice before returning to public service in 1951.

Harlan, John Marshall (1833–1911)

US politician and jurist, associate justice of the US Supreme Court 1877–1911. Harlan supported the Union during the American Civil War 1861–65, serving as colonel in the 10th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry and elected Kentucky attorney general in 1863. He was defeated as Republican candidate for governor of Kentucky in 1871 and 1875.

Before embarking on his political career, Harlan practised law in Kentucky. He was appointed associate justice by President Rutherford Hayes after service on a federal Reconstruction Commission in Louisiana in 1877 and held the office until his death.