Who was the first African American Supreme Court Justice?

Thurgood Marshall was the first African American Supreme Court Justice, serving from 1967 to 1991. His appointment was historically significant as he broke racial barriers in the U.S. judicial system. Prior to joining the Supreme Court, Marshall was a prominent civil rights lawyer, notably arguing the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education, which led to the desegregation of public schools. His judicial philosophy emphasized civil rights and social justice, and as a justice, he was known for his strong advocacy for individual rights and equality under the law.

In contrast, the other figures listed do not fit the criteria of being the first African American Supreme Court Justice. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a trailblazer for women's rights and served on the Court from 1993 until her death in 2020. Clarence Thomas, while also an African American justice, was appointed later than Marshall and is known for his conservative judicial philosophy. John Roberts serves as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, focusing on a range of legal issues but does not identify as an African American. Thus, Marshall stands uniquely as a pioneer in not just the Supreme Court, but in the broader civil rights movement in the United States.