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Antonin Scalia

Antonin Gregory Scalia was an American jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1986 until his death in 2016.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Antonin Gregory Scalia was an American jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1986 until his death in 2016. He became one of the Court’s most influential conservative voices, especially for his advocacy of originalism and textualism in constitutional interpretation. He was the first Italian-American to serve on the Supreme Court.

Early life and education

Scalia was born in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1936 and was raised in the United States. Sources identify him as the son of Italian-American parents and note his Roman Catholic background.

Judicial career

He served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit before joining the Supreme Court in 1986. His Supreme Court service lasted until his death in 2016.

Scalia became a prominent advocate of originalism in constitutional interpretation and textualism in statutory interpretation. He was a leading conservative intellectual on the Court.

Legacy

Scalia is remembered as one of the most influential and controversial Supreme Court justices of his era. He was noted for forceful opinions, frequent dissents, and a lasting impact on conservative legal thought.

Key facts

  • Served as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1986 to 2016.
  • Nominated to the Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan.
  • First Italian-American to serve on the Supreme Court.
  • Widely identified with originalism and textualism in constitutional interpretation.
  • Died in Texas in February 2016 at the age of 79.
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Canadian context

Scalia’s jurisprudence influenced legal debates in Canada indirectly, especially among scholars and judges studying originalism, textualism, and the role of courts in constitutional interpretation.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Antonin Scalia?
Antonin Scalia was an American jurist and Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1986 to 2016.
When was Antonin Scalia born?
He was born on March 11, 1936, in Trenton, New Jersey.
When did Antonin Scalia die?
He died on February 13, 2016, in Shafter, Texas, at age 79.
What was Scalia known for legally?
He was known for originalism and textualism, approaches that emphasize the Constitution’s original meaning and the text’s ordinary meaning.
Was Antonin Scalia the first Italian-American on the Supreme Court?
Yes. Multiple sources identify him as the first Italian-American to serve on the Court.
Who appointed Antonin Scalia to the Supreme Court?
President Ronald Reagan nominated him in 1986, and the Senate confirmed him that same year.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonin_Scalia
    Supports: Birth/death dates, Supreme Court tenure, legal philosophy.
  2. Federal Judicial Center — https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/scalia-antonin
    Supports: Birth/death details, D.C. Circuit service, Supreme Court nomination and service dates.
  3. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/social-sciences-and-law/supreme-court-biographies/antonin-scalia
    Supports: First Italian-American on the Court, conservative jurist, originalist reputation.
  4. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35571868
    Supports: Death, age, first Italian-American on the high court, originalism.
  5. CNN — https://www.cnn.com/us/antonin-scalia-fast-facts
    Supports: Birth, death, first Italian-American on the Supreme Court.
  6. Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Antonin_Scalia
    Supports: Nomination, confirmation, service dates, role on the Supreme Court.