Powell, Lewis, Jr.

Powell, Lewis (Franklin), Jr.

(1907– ) Supreme Court justice; born in Suffolk, Va. His early civic posts included chairing the Richmond, Va., School Board during integration (1952–61). President Nixon named him to the U.S. Supreme Court (1972–87), where, although known as a conservative, he cast the deciding vote with the liberal majority in Roe v. Wade (1973).