John Marshall Harlan II was born on May 20, 1899 in Chicago, Illinois. He was born to John Maynard Harlan, an attorney, and Elizabeth Flagg Harlan. John Marshall Harlan II came from a long line of political servants, of whom his grandfather is probably most notable. John Marshall Harlan I, whom John Marshall Harlan II was named after, sat on the Supreme Court as an Associate Justice from 1877 to 1911. Johan Marshall Harlan II is best remembered as …showed first 75 words of 844 total…

…showed last 75 words of 844 total…felt it to be unconstitutional. There were many times that Harlan was not in the majority, but he freely wrote his dissents explaining his views and reasoning for deciding the case in the manner he did. Due to failing health and eyesight, Harlan retired in September of 1971. He died only three months later, on December 29, 1971. Harlan had been widely respected, even by his Warren Court opponents, and was missed for his "thoroughness, candor, and civility."