Samuel Freeman Miller

Biography

Samuel Freeman Miller (1816-1890) rose from a medical education to the nation’s highest bench, serving as a Supreme Court Justice from 1862 until his death and shaping constitutional law during the tumult of Reconstruction and beyond. He was known for methodical reasoning, a calm demeanor, and an earnest pursuit of justice that earned the confidence of his peers.

His opinions touched on commerce, civil rights, and the limits of federal power, leaving a body of work that continues to guide jurists; he is buried at Oakland Cemetery, where his commitment to fairness remains honored.