Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens dies at the age of 99


Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens died Tuesday at the age of 99.
 
Stevens was appointed to the court by President Gerald Ford (R) in 1975 to succeed Justice William O. Douglas. He was Ford’s only appointment to the court. Stevens served until assuming senior status in June 2010, after which President Barack Obama (D) appointed Justice Elena Kagan to succeed him. During his tenure, Stevens served on the Burger Court, the Rehnquist Court, and the Roberts Court.
 
Before his appointment to the Supreme Court, Stevens served on the United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. He was appointed to that post by President Richard Nixon (R) in 1970. He earlier worked in private practice in Chicago and served as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy during World War II.