John Roberts Biography, John Glover Roberts Jr. born January 27, 1955 is the 17th Chief Justice of the United States, a position he has held since 2005. Known for his moderate conservative judicial philosophy, Roberts is primarily seen as an institutionalist. Though often regarded as a swing vote in certain cases, he has overseen a shift towards more conservative rulings on the Supreme Court, having written pivotal opinions on key legal matters. Born in Buffalo, New York, Roberts was raised in a Catholic family in Northwest Indiana. He initially pursued a career as a historian before attending Harvard University, where he graduated with highest honors in just three years. He then went on to Harvard Law School, where he served as an editor for the Harvard Law Review.
John Roberts Biography
John Roberts was born on January 27, 1955, in Buffalo, New York, and grew up in the Midwest, primarily in Indiana. His father, John Roberts Sr., worked as a plant manager for Bethlehem Steel, while his mother, Rosemary (née Podrasky), was the granddaughter of immigrants from Czechoslovakia. After graduating as valedictorian from La Lumiere, a small Catholic boarding school, Roberts went on to attend Harvard College, where he completed his degree in three years, graduating summa cum laude in 1976. Roberts then pursued his Juris Doctorate at Harvard Law School, where he served as the managing editor of the prestigious Harvard Law Review and graduated magna cum laude in 1979. Following law school, he clerked for Judge Henry Friendly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and then for U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice William Rehnquist in 1980-1981.
John Glover Roberts Jr. is an American jurist serving since 2005 as the 17th chief justice of the United States. He has been described as having a moderate conservative judicial philosophy, though he is primarily an institutionalist.
Born: 27 January 1955 (age 70 years), Buffalo, New York, United States
Spouse: Jane Sullivan Roberts (m. 1996)
Office: Chief Justice of the United States since 2005
Education: Harvard Law School (1979), Harvard College (1973–1976), La Lumiere School (1973)
Children: Josie Roberts, Jack Roberts
Organization founded: DRL Limited
Parents: Rosemary Roberts, John G. Roberts, Sr.
Early Life and Education
Roberts was born on January 27, 1955, in Buffalo, New York, to Rosemary (née Podrasky) and John Glover “Jack” Roberts Sr., both devout Catholics. His father had Irish and Welsh ancestry, while his mother descended from Slovak immigrants from Szepes, Hungary. He has two younger sisters, Margaret and Barbara, and an older sister, Kathy.
Roberts spent his early years in Hamburg, New York, where his father worked as an electrical engineer for Bethlehem Steel. In 1965, when Roberts was 10 years old, his family moved to Long Beach, Indiana, where his father became the manager of a new steel plant in Burns Harbor. By age 13, Roberts had already mapped out his future career. He attended La Lumiere School, a rigorous Catholic boarding school in La Porte, Indiana, where he excelled in academics, captained the football team, participated in track and field, and became a regional champion in wrestling.
Net Worth: Estimated between $5 million and $11 million
Major Achievements: 17th Chief Justice of the United States, Henry J. Friendly Medal
Family Background
Roberts was raised in a devout Catholic family in Northwest Indiana after moving from Buffalo in 1959. His father, John G. Roberts Sr., was an electrical engineer and executive for Bethlehem Steel, while his mother, Rosemary Podrasky Roberts, was a homemaker. Growing up in Long Beach, Indiana, Roberts attended La Lumiere School, a Catholic boarding school, where he excelled academically and participated in various extracurricular activities, including serving as the football team’s captain. The values instilled by his family, coupled with the rigorous education at La Lumiere, played a major role in shaping Roberts’s disciplined approach to his studies and legal career. His Catholic upbringing also influenced his ethical framework and commitment to public service.
After law school, Roberts clerked for Judge Henry Friendly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (1979–1980) and Justice William Rehnquist of the U.S. Supreme Court (1980–1981). These clerkships gave him valuable insight into the judicial process and refined his legal reasoning. Roberts’s public service career began in the U.S. Department of Justice as Special Assistant to the Attorney General (1981–1982) and as Associate Counsel to President Ronald Reagan (1982–1986).
He later served as Principal Deputy Solicitor General (1989–1993) under President George H. W. Bush, arguing 39 cases before the Supreme Court, showcasing his advocacy skills and deep constitutional knowledge President George W. Bush appointed Roberts to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. His distinguished work on the appellate bench led to his nomination as Chief Justice in 2005, following the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist.
Notable Works and Achievements
As Chief Justice, Roberts has authored several landmark opinions, including National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius (2012), which upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate, marking him as a key figure in shaping the Court’s jurisprudence. In 2023, Roberts was awarded the Henry J. Friendly Medal, a recognition of his outstanding contributions to law and the judiciary.
Roberts married Jane Marie Sullivan, a fellow lawyer, in 1996. The couple has two adopted children, Josephine and Jack, and they reside in Maryland. Known for his strong family values, Roberts often emphasizes the importance of balancing his professional and personal life.
Interesting Facts and Trivia
Roberts worked summers in a steel mill to help pay for his college education, demonstrating his work ethic.
He is an opera enthusiast and has attended performances at the Washington National Opera.
An avid golfer, Roberts has been spotted playing at various golf courses in the Washington, D.C. area.
Roberts has been involved in numerous charitable endeavors, often focusing on education and the arts. His legacy as Chief Justice is marked by his efforts to maintain the integrity of the judiciary while navigating a period of significant ideological shifts on the Court.
Future Plans and Impact on Culture
As Chief Justice, Roberts continues to steer the Supreme Court’s direction and influence its role in American society. His decisions and leadership will likely have lasting effects on the Court’s jurisprudence and its public perception, reflecting his commitment to judicial restraint and the Court’s legitimacy in an increasingly polarized political climate.
Roberts’s net worth is estimated between $5 million and $11 million, derived from investments in stocks, mutual funds, and savings plans. He also earns income from teaching engagements, including a 2016 position at the University of Tokyo. In 2010, Roberts purchased a 1,560-square-foot home in Maine for $1 million, reflecting his preference for a modest yet comfortable lifestyle.
