Mr. Justice Holmes

by Clara Ingram Judson

A biography of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., describing his early education at dame and latin schools and Harvard College, his years of military service during the Civil War, his study of law, his work on The Common Law and his years as lawyer and judge in Massachusetts and as justice of the Supreme Court.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Childrens, Middle Grade, American History, Juvenile

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1956

About the author

Clara Ingram Judson (1879–1960) was an American author who wrote over 70 books for children. She was born on May 4, 1879, in Logansport, Indiana, and married James McIntosh Judson in 1901. Her first children's book was Flower Fairies, published in 1915. She is probably most famous for her books in the Mary Jane Series, first published in 1918.

Her radio program on homemaking debuted in 1928, making her one of the first women broadcasters.

She died on May 24, 1960, in Evanston, Illinois, shortly before she would receive the second Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, just after Laura Ingalls Wilder herself. She later got her own award, the Clara Ingram Judson Award.

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story that does an excellent job of creating opportunities for young readers to see connections in their own lives. In this one, the relationship of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. and his father plays a large role - how a son strives to live up to the high expectations of a brilliant parent.

There's a good amount of obvious historical research, although the large quantities of dialogue are invented, of course. The author makes it clear that she did wrote the book not only to tell the story of Holmes, but also to "contribute in some way to a wider understanding and respect for law." I was glad to see that and wish that more juvenile biographies took a more expansive view of their missions. Through the career decisions of Holmes we are introduced to the distinctions of a lawyer, a judge, and a jurist, and we also learn a little about how one became a lawyer (school and exam), what working in a law office was like, and some different areas of law that were important at the time. That American law had its basis in English law is also made clear.

The life of Holmes is a particularly good one for students to consider because he spans so many years, with historical events like the American Civil War being only a part of his tale. Instead of being focused on the war from start to finish, we understand its context in a larger scope. (And an event so well-known as Lincoln's assassination receives only the briefest mention.) We get to see life in Boston and later Washington, from 1848 all the way to the early 1930s - and it's quite remarkable to realize that Holmes's beloved grandmother Sarah really would have remembered the start of the American Revolution as she was born in 1768.

Apart from the chronological extent of Holmes's connection with American history, there are also the links with great figures (some that he made through his father, the famous poet and doctor). In this book there are some interactions with Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Stuart Mill, Louis Brandeis, and Charles W. Eliot, among others.

I look forward to reading more of Judson's biographies.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. It is about the life of Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. He was a liberal Republican justice, and I really don't like a lot of his opinions, but he loved his country and served it in the capacity he thought best.

The author, I thought, did a good job on the life of Holmes, though it was definitely fictionalized some, especially in regards to conversations and thoughts had with and about his future wife. However, there was much lacking in his career as a judge. We learned about a few famous cases, but it felt very gleamed over. Possibly this was on purpose though, as the book is meant for children.

Another thing that I find interesting is that the author didn't hint on the religious life of Holmes. Turns out he was Unitarian, which is definitely outside the norm of the times, and that easily could have helped shape his liberal republican (yes, they do exist - think Donald Trump) views.

[Amber Scaife · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Newbery Honor winner, this is a biography of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. aimed at Middle Grade readers. The language is slightly dated, but overall it was more engaging than I expected it to be, and I think that young history buffs would still enjoy it.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judson writes biographies did children really well. This book was clear and interesting, though I think there was more than necessary about his childhood. It showed will the effect Holmes had on his country in his own time and beyond.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have rather read a biography, for this was an interesting topic but a boring read.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 stars. This is a good, readable fictionalized biography. Much of it is devoted to Holmes boyhood, education, and career (prior to becoming a justice on the MA court). He had a odd relationship with his father who in this bio very much treats his son as not quite a grown man. He served in the Union army but was injured several times; luckily he survived dysentery and the "let's amputate" mentality of the time period. Holmes was very much a person who enjoyed learning and discussing esoterica, but was somewhat slow at romance. Judson covers his 30 year tenure on the Supreme Court in only a few chapters. I'd have liked more on that period, but perhaps a discussion of his most influential cases would have been beyond the intended readership. I read this for my 2020 Reading Challenge (PopSugar "subject you know nothing about") and my Newbery Challenge (Honor 1957). I read this via Open Library/Internet Archive due to the Covid pandemic.

[Joan Innes]

Mr. Justice Holmes is a must-read for social studies, history and American civic/government. It's also a good literary read. The biography of a very important man in the framing of the American judicial system's laws. A thoroughly enjoyable read of a young boy raised in an upper-class home where table discussion with notable figures of current important topics such as occurences in government or philosophical matters was the norm. So this young boy, Oliver Wendell Holmes, contemplated weighty matters and questioned unjust laws such as the law that allowed slave owners permanent legal ownership even if the slave escaped on a ship. There is a touching romance woven into this story with Oliver courting young Fannie; and there courtship goes on for quite a long time. It takes time and the persuasion of an uncle to get Oliver to see past his wrapped-up life with higher education and the court system that it would be in Fannie and his best interest to marry. Mr. Holmes serves in the military and is wounded on three separate occasions. They began their journey in Massachusetts and continued to Washington. Fannie, who was independent in her dress and speech was well accepted and had many social invites in Washington. Justice Holmes was outspoken in his opinions, he taught law at Harvard, and he was progressive and fair-minded in his legal opinions. A series of fortuitous events brought him to be chief Justice at a young age.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a biography written in the old style, more like a novel. It doesn't have footnotes or a bibliography to check the points raised in the book. Another thing the author does, which isn't so common any more, is talk about the philosophy and ethics of the person in question. This would probably be called hagiography these days. You are not going to get a list of Justice Holmes bad points from this book! I am certainly keeping this book in the library collection for two reasons. One, I am fairly certain we have no other biography on the Justice and we should have at least one. Two, it is well written, thoughtful, and absorbing. Many current biographies are series biographies that recite the facts and stop there. They are like teaching history by requiring the nothing but the memorization of dates. Instead, this book really concentrates on the whys and results of events, not merely that Justice Holmes took this step then made this decision, then had this honor. The author also makes it clear that Justice Holmes had a great influence on our law and a bit what that influence was. I definitely enjoyed the reading and must see what else we have by this author. I know I recognize the name but cannot remember for what reason.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating biography of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. The book spent the most time on his early adulthood, as he served in the Civil War and went to school to become a lawyer. The part where he finally proposed to Fanny made my heart full of joy! Reading about him becoming a judge and then being in the Supreme Court was very interesting. I liked the sentence that talked about him being a liberal but not a radical.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simplified biography for children - a Justice of the Supreme Court of the U.S. 1902-32, From Civil War experiences he influenced legal thinking towards legal realism, opposed natural law; wrote The Common Law. Half the book is his childhood and war service, then moves into Law school and later life.

[Scott Williams]

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