Hoyt Landon Warner
Forfatter af The life of Mr. Justice Clarke; a testament to the power of liberal dissent in America
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Given all of this, it is unfortunate that Clarke has attracted so little attention from scholars; indeed Hoyt Landon Warner’s book is the only complete biography about him. In some respects, this is a testament to the author’s thorough work. He draws from numerous archival collections to piece together Clarke’s life, using Clarke’s personal letters and journalism as well as interviews with people who knew the justice to present a comprehensive portrait of his views and jurisprudence. The result is a well-rounded portrait of Clarke, one in which his time on the Supreme Court is just one part of a long and varied life. Yet the broader historical scholarship Warner draws from is notably dated, relying on a presentation of the era that is in need of updating.
More serious is the author’s bias towards Clarke. Warner proves to be a sympathetic biographer – indeed, perhaps too sympathetic of one. His interpretations of Clarke’s actions are invariably favorable or forgiving, with little critical assessment of the justice’s actions and decisions. This is particularly apparent in his chapter on Clarke’s time as a railroad lawyer, in which Warner labors to demonstrate the compatibility of his subject’s legal advocacy with his Progressive beliefs. Such efforts are sometimes so tortuous as to invite incredulity, and can engender doubt about Warner’s overall judgements regarding his subject.
These flaws detract from what is otherwise an informative and valuable work.… (mere)