Nature's Justice: Writings of William O. Douglas
As the longest serving Justice in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court, William O. Douglas was known for writing a host of dissenting opinions. He was also a prolific writer off the bench, a man whose work was as much concerned with nature as with law.
This collection brings together writings that represent the wide range of Douglas's interests. It includes selections from his autobiographical and political books, and opinions from landmark cases--all reflecting not only his love of justice but also his roots in the Northwest and his lifelong commitment to the environment.
Several selections from Douglas's first book,
Of Men and Mountains, portray his abiding love of the outdoors--particularly the Northwest Cascades-- and the rugged people who live there. These personal writings warmly recall events of his youth and celebrate the power of the mountains to renew the human spirit.
Other selections evoke Douglas's professional activities: as a New Deal insider and Supreme Court Justice, a staunch defender of individual rights, a strong internationalist, and an unflagging supporter of environmental issues. These latter writings include selections from
My Wilderness and his dissenting opinion in
Sierra Club v. Morton concerning the legal standing of wilderness adovocates. Editor James O'Fallon provides a biographical essay which reviews the themes of Douglas's life and provides a context for the selections.
These writings demonstrate that Douglas never shied from controversy--whether over interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment or the choice between flies and bait for trout fishing--and offer abundant inspiration for both environmentalists and all who yearn for a more just society. Whether extolling the joys of the wild or defending the rights of citizens, Douglas shows in this work that he truly was Nature's Justice--and one of a kind.
The Editor
James M. O'Fallon is the Frank Nash Professor of Law and the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at
University of Oregon School of Law
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