William Hubbs Rehnquist (October 1, 1924 – September 3, 2005) was an American lawyer, jurist and political figure, who served as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States from 1972 until 1986, and as the 16th Chief Justice of the United States from 1986 until his death in 2005. A stalwart proponent of federalism, his legacy includes the first modern limits on Congress's power under the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution.
Rehnquist served as a law clerk for Justice Robert H. Jackson and as Assistant Attorney General during the administration of President Richard Nixon. In 1971, Nixon nominated Rehnquist to the U.S. Supreme Court as an Associate Justice; Rehnquist took his seat in 1972. In 1986, Ronald Reagan elevated him to the position of Chief Justice...