Thomas, Clarence (1948-)

Clarence Thomas, who currently serves as an associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, is only the second African American to sit on the Court. Thomas is viewed as one of the most conservative members of the Court. This entry reviews his early life and career, his judicial appointments, and his record on the high court.

Early Years

Had someone suggested during his childhood that Clarence Thomas would one day sit on the U.S. Supreme Court, the idea would have seemed utterly absurd. Thomas was born in the segregated South in 1948, in a tiny, poor community of South Georgia known as Pin Point. His father deserted the family when Thomas was a small boy. When he was 6 years old, his family's house burned down, and ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles