Changes

Warren was born in Los Angeles, the son of Methias H. ("Matt") Warren, a railroad worker, and Christine Hernlund. After Matt was blacklisted for joining in a strike, the family moved to Bakersfield, California, in 1894, where the father worked in a railroad repair yard, and the son had summer jobs in railroading. Warren always recalled how big corporations could dominate the lives of their employees and how powerless minority members were when faced with discrimination.  He was strongly influenced by the reform currents of the [[Progressive Era]] to oppose corruption and promote democracy.

Warren was born in Los Angeles, the son of Methias H. ("Matt") Warren, a railroad worker, and Christine Hernlund. After Matt was blacklisted for joining in a strike, the family moved to Bakersfield, California, in 1894, where the father worked in a railroad repair yard, and the son had summer jobs in railroading. Warren always recalled how big corporations could dominate the lives of their employees and how powerless minority members were when faced with discrimination.  He was strongly influenced by the reform currents of the [[Progressive Era]] to oppose corruption and promote democracy.

Warren graduated from Kern County High School and then attended college and law school at the [[University of California, Berkeley|University of California at Berkeley]], earning a B.L. in 1912 and a LL.B. in 1914. He worked for a law firm before serving briefly in the [[army]] in 1918. He built his career at the Alameda County district attorney's office 1920-38.  In 1926 he was elected to the first of three terms as district attorney. In 1925, he  married Nina Palmquist Meyers, a widow with a young son. Warren adopted him, and the couple had five more children.  

Warren graduated from Kern County High School and then attended college and law school at the [[University of California, Berkeley|University of California at Berkeley]], earning a B.L. in 1912 and a LL.B. in 1914. He worked for a law firm before serving briefly in the [[army]] in 1918. He built his career at the Alameda County district attorney's office 1920–38.  In 1926 he was elected to the first of three terms as district attorney. In 1925, he  married Nina Palmquist Meyers, a widow with a young son. Warren adopted him, and the couple had five more children.  

Shortly after taking office, irregularities were uncovered in the city of Oakland, the largest city in Alameda county. Warren vigorously investigated allegations that a deputy sheriff was taking bribes in connection with street-paving arrangements.  

Shortly after taking office, irregularities were uncovered in the city of Oakland, the largest city in Alameda county. Warren vigorously investigated allegations that a deputy sheriff was taking bribes in connection with street-paving arrangements.  

Like all [[Progressive Era|progressives]], Warren believed in efficiency and planning. During World War II he aggressively pursued postwar economic planning. Fearing another postwar decline that would rival the depression years, Governor Earl Warren initiated public works projects similar to those of the [[New Deal]] to capitalize on wartime tax surpluses and provide jobs for returning veterans. Warren also built up the state's higher education system based on the University of California and its vast network of small universities and community colleges.<ref>John Aubrey Douglass,  "Earl Warren's New Deal: Economic Transition, Postwar Planning, and Higher Education in California." ''Journal of Policy History'' 2000 12(4): 473-512</ref> For example, his support of the Collier-Burns Act in 1947 raised gasoline taxes that funded a massive program of freeway construction. Unlike states where tolls or bonds funded highway construction, California's gasoline taxes were earmarked for building the system. Warren's support for the bill was crucial because his status as a popular governor strengthened his views, in contrast with opposition from trucking, oil, and gas lobbyists. The Collier-Burns Act helped influence passage of the Federal-Aid Highway Act in 1956, setting a pattern for national highway construction.<ref>Daniel J. B. Mitchell,  “Earl Warren's Fight for California's Freeways: Setting a Path for the Nation.”  ''Southern California Quarterly'' 2006 88(2): 205-238 34p.</ref>

Like all [[Progressive Era|progressives]], Warren believed in efficiency and planning. During World War II he aggressively pursued postwar economic planning. Fearing another postwar decline that would rival the depression years, Governor Earl Warren initiated public works projects similar to those of the [[New Deal]] to capitalize on wartime tax surpluses and provide jobs for returning veterans. Warren also built up the state's higher education system based on the University of California and its vast network of small universities and community colleges.<ref>John Aubrey Douglass,  "Earl Warren's New Deal: Economic Transition, Postwar Planning, and Higher Education in California." ''Journal of Policy History'' 2000 12(4): 473-512</ref> For example, his support of the Collier-Burns Act in 1947 raised gasoline taxes that funded a massive program of freeway construction. Unlike states where tolls or bonds funded highway construction, California's gasoline taxes were earmarked for building the system. Warren's support for the bill was crucial because his status as a popular governor strengthened his views, in contrast with opposition from trucking, oil, and gas lobbyists. The Collier-Burns Act helped influence passage of the Federal-Aid Highway Act in 1956, setting a pattern for national highway construction.<ref>Daniel J. B. Mitchell,  “Earl Warren's Fight for California's Freeways: Setting a Path for the Nation.”  ''Southern California Quarterly'' 2006 88(2): 205-238 34p.</ref>

Like all state, local and national officials in California, he supported the relocation of everyone of Japanese descent in 1942-44.  For many years Warren defended the action, maintaining that it seemed the right and necessary thing to do at the time; in his memoirs, published after his death, he finally acknowledged that relocation had been an error.  

Like all state, local and national officials in California, he supported the relocation of everyone of Japanese descent in 1942–44.  For many years Warren defended the action, maintaining that it seemed the right and necessary thing to do at the time; in his memoirs, published after his death, he finally acknowledged that relocation had been an error.  

[[Image:Warren48.jpg|thumb|320px]] Success as governor of a major state made Warren a national figure. In he was selected by New York Governor [[Thomas E. Dewey]] as vice presidential candidate; four years earlier, Dewey had run with another governor, [[John W. Bricker]] of [[Ohio]]. The GOP ticket was defeated by Truman, much to the astonishment of most observers and pollsters, who had predicted the defeat of Truman. In 1952, Warren was California's favorite son candidate for president, but he had to head off a revolt by Senator [[Richard M. Nixon]] who supported [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]].  Eisenhower and Nixon were elected, and the bad blood between Warren and Nixon was apparent.  

[[Image:Warren48.jpg|thumb|320px]] Success as governor of a major state made Warren a national figure. In he was selected by New York Governor [[Thomas E. Dewey]] as vice presidential candidate; four years earlier, Dewey had run with another governor, [[John W. Bricker]] of [[Ohio]]. The GOP ticket was defeated by Truman, much to the astonishment of most observers and pollsters, who had predicted the defeat of Truman. In 1952, Warren was California's favorite son candidate for president, but he had to head off a revolt by Senator [[Richard M. Nixon]] who supported [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]].  Eisenhower and Nixon were elected, and the bad blood between Warren and Nixon was apparent.  

Eisenhower offered, and Warren had accepted, the post of solicitor general, with the promise of a seat on the Supreme Court. But before it was announced Chief Justice Fred Vinson unexpectedly died in September 1953, and Eisenhower picked Warren to replace him. Eisenhower will later view his nomination of Warren as a mistake, alongside his nomination of [[William Brennan]], answering that he made two mistakes during his time as President in an interview after his retirement, and that "[the mistakes] are both on the Supreme Court."<ref>John Fund, "Miers Remorse: Conservatives are right to be skeptical," October 10, 2005; available online at: http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110007384</ref>

Eisenhower offered, and Warren had accepted, the post of solicitor general, with the promise of a seat on the Supreme Court. But before it was announced Chief Justice Fred Vinson unexpectedly died in September 1953, and Eisenhower picked Warren to replace him. Eisenhower will later view his nomination of Warren as a mistake, alongside his nomination of [[William Brennan]], answering that he made two mistakes during his time as president in an interview after his retirement, and that "[the mistakes] are both on the Supreme Court."<ref>John Fund, "Miers Remorse: Conservatives are right to be skeptical," October 10, 2005; available online at: http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110007384</ref>

==Chief Justice==

==Chief Justice==

* Warren, Earl. ''The Memoirs of Earl Warren'' (1977), goes only to 1954  

* Warren, Earl. ''The Memoirs of Earl Warren'' (1977), goes only to 1954  

* Warren, Earl. ''The Public Papers of Chief Justice Earl Warren'', ed. by Henry M. Christman; (1959), speeches and decisions, 1946-1958 [http://www.questia.com/read/6131221?title=The%20Public%20Papers%20of%20Chief%20Justice%20Earl%20Warren online edition].

* Warren, Earl. ''The Public Papers of Chief Justice Earl Warren'', ed. by Henry M. Christman; (1959), speeches and decisions, 1946-1958 [http://www.questia.com/read/6131221?title=The%20Public%20Papers%20of%20Chief%20Justice%20Earl%20Warren online edition].

* Rawls, James J. "The Earl Warren Oral History Project: an Appraisal." ''Pacific Historical Review'' 1987 56(1): 87-97. Begun during the 1960s by the Bancroft Library's Regional Oral History Office, the collection includes more than 50 volumes of interviews recorded and transcribed during 1971-81, totaling about 12,000 pages.

* Rawls, James J. "The Earl Warren Oral History Project: an Appraisal." ''Pacific Historical Review'' 1987 56(1): 87–97. Begun during the 1960s by the Bancroft Library's Regional Oral History Office, the collection includes more than 50 volumes of interviews recorded and transcribed during 1971–81, totaling about 12,000 pages.

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{{USChiefJustices}}

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