Owen Roberts

Owen Josephus Roberts (1879–1955) was an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1930 to 1945. A conservative jurist, he played a significant role in shaping the legal landscape during the 1930s and early 1940s. Roberts was appointed by President Herbert Hoover and initially aligned with the Court's conservative majority. However, his stance on judicial philosophy shifted over time, notably during the famous "switch in time" episode of 1937, where he voted to uphold key aspects of the New Deal legislation, signaling a break from earlier rulings that had struck down such laws. Roberts is also remembered for his role in the 1937 court-packing controversy, during which President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed adding additional justices to the Supreme Court to achieve a more favorable majority for his policies. Roberts's perceived moderation and willingness to adapt judicial philosophy made him a target of criticism from both conservative and liberal quarters. In addition to his judicial work, Roberts served as chairman of the Roberts Commission, a presidentially appointed group tasked with investigating the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. After leaving the Supreme Court, he pursued various roles, including serving as president of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church and dean of the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Known for his strong judicial philosophy and conservative leanings, Roberts became increasingly frustrated with the liberal rulings of newer justices appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He dissented sharply in several cases, including *Smith v. Allwright* (1944), where he famously criticized ...