– Charles Fried, former US solicitor general and Harvard Law professor, passes away at 88
– Renowned legal scholar Charles Fried dies at 88.
Former US Solicitor General and Conservative Legal Scholar Charles Fried Passes Away at 88
Charles Fried, a prominent figure in the field of law and a former US solicitor general, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 88, according to an announcement from Harvard University. Fried, who had a long and distinguished career, served as an associate justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and was a renowned conservative legal scholar.
Born in [year], Fried joined the faculty of Harvard Law School in 1961, where he would go on to teach thousands of students. His expertise spanned various areas of law, including First Amendment and contract law. Throughout his tenure, Fried made significant contributions to the legal field, arguing numerous important cases in state and federal courts. One notable case was Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, in which the US Supreme Court established standards for scientific expert testimony in federal courts.
Reflecting on Fried’s legacy, Harvard Law School Dean John Manning praised him as a brilliant lawyer who applied the principles of philosophy to tackle complex legal problems. Manning emphasized Fried’s commitment to the role of law in shaping society and fostering progress within a constitutional democracy.
Aside from his academic pursuits, Fried also served as President Ronald Reagan’s solicitor general from 1985 to 1989. This role further solidified his reputation as a legal heavyweight, and he continued to make a lasting impact on the legal landscape.
In addition to his time at Harvard and his service in the Reagan administration, Fried also served as an associate justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts from 1995 to 1999. This position allowed him to contribute to the development of Massachusetts state law and further shape his legacy as a legal scholar.
Laurence Tribe, a longtime law professor at Harvard, expressed his deep admiration for Fried and the cherished friendship they shared. Despite their ideological differences, Tribe highlighted Fried’s intellectual openness, recounting how Fried had argued for the overruling of Roe v Wade as solicitor general, but later wrote an opinion piece taking the opposite stance. Tribe also noted that Fried had voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, denouncing Donald Trump as a “mean and vindictive bully.”
Charles Fried’s passing has left a void in the legal community, but his contributions will continue to shape the field for years to come. His dedication to the law, commitment to intellectual exploration, and willingness to engage in open and honest debate serve as an enduring legacy.
A full obituary detailing Fried’s remarkable life and career will be published in the near future, allowing friends, colleagues, and admirers to pay their respects and reflect on his lasting impact.
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– Charles Fried, former US solicitor general and Harvard Law professor, dies at 88
– Charles Fried: Former US solicitor general and Harvard Law professor passes away at 88.
