Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, a Republican appointee who retired from the high court in 2009 after voting consistently with its liberal wing, has died at the age of 85.

Souter was nominated for the Supreme Court by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. Bush's advisers assured the president that Souter would move the court to the right — a misreading that continues to reverberate today. Souter sided with liberal justices in cases dealing with civil rights and affirmative action, and he helped form the opinion that that the right to abortion was implicitly guaranteed by the Constitution.

Following Souter's retirement, President Barack Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor to take his seat.

“Justice David Souter served our court with great distinction for nearly twenty years,” Chief Justice John Roberts said in a statement. “He brought uncommon wisdom and kindness to a lifetime of public service.”

Souter, right, leaves the US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Castle, New Hampshire, in 1969. At the time, he was the assistant attorney general of New Hampshire.
Souter, right, leaves the US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Castle, New Hampshire, in 1969. At the time, he was the assistant attorney general of New Hampshire.
AP
Souter, right, stands with New Hampshire Gov. Meldrim Thomson in the executive chambers of the State House in 1977. He became the state's attorney general in 1976.
Souter, right, stands with New Hampshire Gov. Meldrim Thomson in the executive chambers of the State House in 1977. He became the state's attorney general in 1976.
AP
Souter was born in Massachusetts, but he grew up and attended grade school in New Hampshire. He went on to attend Harvard University, the University of Oxford, and Harvard Law School.
Souter was born in Massachusetts, but he grew up and attended grade school in New Hampshire. He went on to attend Harvard University, the University of Oxford, and Harvard Law School.
Ken Williams/Concord Monitor/AP
Souter, right, was appointed to New Hampshire's Supreme Court in 1983.
Souter, right, was appointed to New Hampshire's Supreme Court in 1983.
Jim Cole/AP
President George H.W. Bush speaks to reporters at the White House as he announces his Supreme Court nomination of Souter in July 1990.
President George H.W. Bush speaks to reporters at the White House as he announces his Supreme Court nomination of Souter in July 1990.
Greg Gibson/AP
Souter is surrounded by the media as he leaves the office of Sen. Warren Rudman in July 1990.
Souter is surrounded by the media as he leaves the office of Sen. Warren Rudman in July 1990.
John Duricka/AP
Souter talks to Vice President Dan Quayle while on a visit to the White House in July 1990.
Souter talks to Vice President Dan Quayle while on a visit to the White House in July 1990.
Barry Thumma/AP
Souter leaves the home of his mother, Helen, after a visit in July 1990.
Souter leaves the home of his mother, Helen, after a visit in July 1990.
Jim Cole/AP
Souter sits alone as he appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing in September 1990. His legal views were little known during confirmation. He was called the “stealth nominee.”
Souter sits alone as he appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing in September 1990. His legal views were little known during confirmation. He was called the “stealth nominee.”
Marcy Nighswander/AP
Souter wears a Boston Red Sox hat as he watches the baseball team play a game in Baltimore in September 1990. With him are Major League Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent, top, and Baltimore Orioles President Eli Jacobs.
Souter wears a Boston Red Sox hat as he watches the baseball team play a game in Baltimore in September 1990. With him are Major League Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent, top, and Baltimore Orioles President Eli Jacobs.
Carlos Osorio/AP
Souter raises his right hand as Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist delivers the oath of office in October 1990. Family friend Erin Rath is holding the Bible.
Souter raises his right hand as Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist delivers the oath of office in October 1990. Family friend Erin Rath is holding the Bible.
Mark Reinstein/Corbis Historical/Getty Images
Souter signs documents after being sworn in. With him, from left, are Rehnquist, Antonin Scalia, Sandra Day O'Connor, Thurgood Marshall, Anthony Kennedy, Harry Blackmun and John Paul Stevens.
Souter signs documents after being sworn in. With him, from left, are Rehnquist, Antonin Scalia, Sandra Day O'Connor, Thurgood Marshall, Anthony Kennedy, Harry Blackmun and John Paul Stevens.
Ken Heinen/Pool/AP
Souter listens to opening comments during the Ames Moot Court final competition at Harvard University in 1991.
Souter listens to opening comments during the Ames Moot Court final competition at Harvard University in 1991.
Susan Walsh/AP
Souter poses for a portrait in 1994.
Souter poses for a portrait in 1994.
Diana Walker/The Chronicle Collection/Getty Images
Souter and other Supreme Court justices pause at the casket of retired Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun as his body lies in repose in 1999.
Souter and other Supreme Court justices pause at the casket of retired Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun as his body lies in repose in 1999.
Doug Mills/Pool/AP
Souter smiles after a plaque was unveiled at the State Supreme Courthouse in Concord, New Hampshire, in 2008. The judicial conference room where Souter once worked was named after him.
Souter smiles after a plaque was unveiled at the State Supreme Courthouse in Concord, New Hampshire, in 2008. The judicial conference room where Souter once worked was named after him.
Jim Cole/AP
Souter works with a group to promote civics education in New Hampshire schools in 2009. In a break with today’s norms, Souter retired from the Supreme Court that year, seeking a return to his contemplative life in New Hampshire. Souter was only 69 when he stepped down – far younger than most departing justices. He never married, and he was never fond of the Washington social scene.
Souter works with a group to promote civics education in New Hampshire schools in 2009. In a break with today’s norms, Souter retired from the Supreme Court that year, seeking a return to his contemplative life in New Hampshire. Souter was only 69 when he stepped down – far younger than most departing justices. He never married, and he was never fond of the Washington social scene.
Jim Cole/AP
Souter chats with actress Meryl Streep after the two were presented with honorary degrees at Harvard University in 2010.
Souter chats with actress Meryl Streep after the two were presented with honorary degrees at Harvard University in 2010.
Josh Reynolds/AP
Souter jokes with retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor at the start of a “Constitutionally Speaking” lecture in Concord in 2014.
Souter jokes with retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor at the start of a “Constitutionally Speaking” lecture in Concord in 2014.
Jim Cole/AP
Souter introduces Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at a lunch in 2015.
Souter introduces Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at a lunch in 2015.
Joanne Rathe/The Boston Globe/Getty Images
Souter, second from left, stands with members of the Supreme Court before a procession marking Harvard Law School's bicentennial in 2017. Standing with him, from left, are Anthony Kennedy, John Roberts, Elena Kagan, Stephen Breyer and Neil Gorsuch.
Souter, second from left, stands with members of the Supreme Court before a procession marking Harvard Law School's bicentennial in 2017. Standing with him, from left, are Anthony Kennedy, John Roberts, Elena Kagan, Stephen Breyer and Neil Gorsuch.
Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe/Getty Images