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Robert H. Jackson: New Deal Lawyer, Supreme Court Justice, Nuremberg Prosecutor
Kirkus Reviews Best Book
Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year
Meet Robert H. Jackson in an engaging biography, the first published in over fifty years.
For four hours on November 21, 1945, the world watched and listened as Justice Robert H. Jackson, on leave from the U.S. Supreme Court, introduced the Allies' case against the high-ranking Nazi leadership at the Nuremberg Trial. For the first time, a country's leaders were being tried for war crimes, in large part owing to Jackson's efforts. Acclaimed author Gail Jarrow's biography Jackson details the personal journey of this extraordinary man from his childhood in rural New York; to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal inner circle during the Great Depression; to the position of attorney general while the nation prepared for World War II; to the Supreme Court bench when it ruled on such significant cases as Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka; and to chief U.S. prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trial. Despite his remarkable accomplishments, Jackson never attended college or earned a law degree. Using primary sources—including Jackson's papers in the Library of Congress and materials from the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown, New York—Jarrow tells the fascinating story of a lawyer and judge dedicated to the rule of law. A timeline, bibliography, source notes, additional resources, and index are included.
Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year
Meet Robert H. Jackson in an engaging biography, the first published in over fifty years.
For four hours on November 21, 1945, the world watched and listened as Justice Robert H. Jackson, on leave from the U.S. Supreme Court, introduced the Allies' case against the high-ranking Nazi leadership at the Nuremberg Trial. For the first time, a country's leaders were being tried for war crimes, in large part owing to Jackson's efforts. Acclaimed author Gail Jarrow's biography Jackson details the personal journey of this extraordinary man from his childhood in rural New York; to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal inner circle during the Great Depression; to the position of attorney general while the nation prepared for World War II; to the Supreme Court bench when it ruled on such significant cases as Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka; and to chief U.S. prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trial. Despite his remarkable accomplishments, Jackson never attended college or earned a law degree. Using primary sources—including Jackson's papers in the Library of Congress and materials from the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown, New York—Jarrow tells the fascinating story of a lawyer and judge dedicated to the rule of law. A timeline, bibliography, source notes, additional resources, and index are included.
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
128 pages, Hardcover
Published June 1, 2008
About the author
Gail Jarrow
28 books93 followersGail Jarrow is the award-winning author of nonfiction books and novels for readers 8-18. Latest book: WHITE HOUSE SECRETS: MEDICAL LIES AND COVER-UPS. Visit GailJarrow.com.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 29, 2026
This is one that was on the earlier side of her writing career but nonetheless shows the depth of research she does on any topic. Did I really know who Robert H. Jackson was before reading this? No. Do I now? Yes. I didn't realize he was both a Supreme Court Justice but also the American lead prosecutor for the Nuremberg Trials, but he was a devoted family man who also liked doing his own outdoor groundskeeping work when he could. A secretary when he was a justice shared that he treated a diplomat the same as the secretary or maintenance person, inviting them in for a drink to his office. He was a skilled orator which is why he excelled in the field of law.
The cool connection is that he attended Albany Law (right here in Albany!) and met his future wife here, taking her on their first date to skate at Washington Park's lake (and there's also an adorable picture of them ice skating decades later, though somewhere else).
Excellently researched there were even photos, used at trial, that I had never seen regarding the atrocities of war especially at the concentration camps.
The cool connection is that he attended Albany Law (right here in Albany!) and met his future wife here, taking her on their first date to skate at Washington Park's lake (and there's also an adorable picture of them ice skating decades later, though somewhere else).
Excellently researched there were even photos, used at trial, that I had never seen regarding the atrocities of war especially at the concentration camps.
April 18, 2020
Robert H. jackson (1891-1954) was one of the New Deal Justices picked by Franklin D. Roosevelt for
the Supreme Court before we entered World War II. As such he is one of the men who changed the
voice of American jurisprudence. Gail Jarrow's book is not a scholarly work, but it's designed for
young readers.
Jackson had a hard youth. Born in western Pennsylvania his family moved to the small town of
Frewsburg, New York. Jackson was the last Supreme Court Justice without an undergraduate degree.
He did attend Albany law school and clerked before passing the bar and setting up a law practice
in Jamestown, New York. He did both law and politics in Jamestown for the Democratic party and
while in Albany made the acquaintance of FDR who was just beginning his political career as a State
Senator. Some 20 years later Jackson was in the Justice Department in FDR's administration.
Jackson seemed to be FDR's Mr. Fixit at the Justice Department. During his time there he was
head of the Tax Division, the Anti-Trust Division, Solicitor General and finally Attorney General
and always hoping for a Supreme Court appointment.
Which came when FDR moved Harlan Fiske Stone up from Associate Justice to Chief Justice and
Jackson got Stone's former seat. In his time on the court Jackson primarily lined up with those
of his colleagues advocating judicial restraint. That the court not intervene in the workings of the
other federal branches or the states unless as a last resort.
His most famous post was serving for a year as the lead American prosecutor at the Nuremberg
Trials of leading Nazis. As Jackson said so eloquently he represented civilization itself calling
Hitler's regime to the bar of justice. Jackson was on leave and probably missed being named
Chief justice when Stone died in 1946.
Jackson died in 1954 still on the bench though in ill health for the last couple of years. This book
is primarily for younger readers and gives a good overview of his life.
the Supreme Court before we entered World War II. As such he is one of the men who changed the
voice of American jurisprudence. Gail Jarrow's book is not a scholarly work, but it's designed for
young readers.
Jackson had a hard youth. Born in western Pennsylvania his family moved to the small town of
Frewsburg, New York. Jackson was the last Supreme Court Justice without an undergraduate degree.
He did attend Albany law school and clerked before passing the bar and setting up a law practice
in Jamestown, New York. He did both law and politics in Jamestown for the Democratic party and
while in Albany made the acquaintance of FDR who was just beginning his political career as a State
Senator. Some 20 years later Jackson was in the Justice Department in FDR's administration.
Jackson seemed to be FDR's Mr. Fixit at the Justice Department. During his time there he was
head of the Tax Division, the Anti-Trust Division, Solicitor General and finally Attorney General
and always hoping for a Supreme Court appointment.
Which came when FDR moved Harlan Fiske Stone up from Associate Justice to Chief Justice and
Jackson got Stone's former seat. In his time on the court Jackson primarily lined up with those
of his colleagues advocating judicial restraint. That the court not intervene in the workings of the
other federal branches or the states unless as a last resort.
His most famous post was serving for a year as the lead American prosecutor at the Nuremberg
Trials of leading Nazis. As Jackson said so eloquently he represented civilization itself calling
Hitler's regime to the bar of justice. Jackson was on leave and probably missed being named
Chief justice when Stone died in 1946.
Jackson died in 1954 still on the bench though in ill health for the last couple of years. This book
is primarily for younger readers and gives a good overview of his life.
December 15, 2008
Recommended for gr. 6-12. Very well written and understandable biography. Includes historical background on the New Deal, the Supreme Court, and Nazi Germany. Also discusses several important cases determined by the Supreme Court while Jackson was a justice. Includes Table of Contents; Timeline (of Jackson’s life and historical events); source notes; bibliography; websites “For More Information”; and an index.
July 21, 2008
After years of hearing about one of our most distinguished residents, visiting the Jackson Center, driving by the statue on North Main Street, I finally read about Justice Jackson. It was a thoroughly interesting and very personal account of his life and his accomplishments. What a fascinating and remarkable gentleman!
April 24, 2017
This is a very good introduction to the important role that Justice Jackson played in creating our modern concept of 'war trials.' Well written and engaging author Gail Jarrow does a fine job covering all of J. Jackson's career and personal history.
Want to Read
April 22, 2008Great new juvenile biography of Justice Jackson.
August 19, 2025
what a cool guy...and pictures!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews