Felix Frankfurter served as an attorney, law professor and justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Before joining the Court, Frankfurter had been a champion of liberal causes, including the accused robbers and murderers, Sacco and Vanzetti. Therefore, he surprised many observers with his conservative judicial views, based on the idea that judges must restrain themselves from trying to settle issues properly left to the legislative branch. Many noted legal scholars embraced his judicial philosophy, which has also shaped the outlook of many judges.

Frankfurter was born on November 15, 1882 in Vienna, Austria. His family immigrated to the United States when he was a young boy and settled in New York City. Frankfurter quickly mastered English and became an outstanding student. After earning degrees from New York's City College and Harvard Law School, Frankfurter practiced law in New York City. He was an assistant U.S. attorney for several...