Justice Byron R. White: a man of will.

• Author: Campbell, Tom

Justice Byron R. White was a man of exceptional talents, but none so strong as his will. He willed himself to succeed at everything he attempted; and his achievements were astounding. His intellect, his energy, and his commitment to principle were all of the strongest; but it is his will that most remains with me. I spoke with him shortly after receiving the invitation to join the Stanford Law School faculty, and he commented about how difficult it would be for a midwesterner like myself to adjust to California and to teaching. I asked what he meant; he replied that he was concerned that a less rigorous climate might mean a decline in my will. He was quite serious. He said he had no doubt I would continue to think, but he was concerned about whether I would maintain the will to act. That advice has stayed with me for the twenty years my wife and I have lived in California. It was with me when I announced that I would seek a leave of absence from Stanford Law School to serve in the U.S. Congress. It was with me in every one of eight election campaigns. The world was full of people with thoughts, the Justice was telling me; much more rare are people willing to act on them.

On a personal level, the Justice and Mrs. White were very kind to my wife and me. He told me I was the first law clerk of his ever to become engaged to be married while on the job--suggesting that maybe I was not working hard enough if I had such extra time on my hands. Both the Justice and Mrs. White had met my wife-to-be, as they were kind enough to include her in invitations extended to the...