Interview with William Oliver, February 26, 1975

Interview Summary

William Oliver begins this interview by relating how he was appointed as Fred Vinson's Supreme Court law clerk through Northwestern Law School and Willard Pedrick. He discusses Vinson's relationships with other justices within the Court at different times within the interview. He talks about the general role of the chief justice within the Court. Vinson's relationship with his law clerks is commented on, which leads to a discussion of the role of law clerks within the Court. Price gives his interpretation of what Vinson's view of the role of the Court in society was. He relates an anecdote about the 1952 presidential election and Harry Truman wanting Vinson as a possible presidential candidate. He gives his opinion on why Vinson may have declined to run and goes on to talk about Vinson's death. Vinson's relationship with Eisenhower is mentioned. Price talks about the [Julius and Ethel] Rosenberg case. He gives his view on Vinson's position civil liberties and civil rights cases. Vinson relationship with Truman is mentioned. Price considers Vinson an expert in tax law in the '30s. He concludes by commenting on Vinson sitting on the McWilliams case (McWilliams v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue).

Interview Keyword

Fred M. Vinson Politics and government United States Government Supreme Court Chief Justice Harry Truman Tax law Felix Frankfurter Kentucky Great Depression Cold War

Interview LC Subject

Law and legislation Judges Justices Law clerks Civil rights Depressions--1929--United States

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.