THE NINTH JUSTICE: A HAPPY IRISHMAN

Named to the U.S. Supreme Court last week: William Joseph Brennan Jr.

Early Life: Born in Newark on April 25, 1906, the son (one of eight children) of an Irish-born immigrant who started out as a laborer, entered New Jersey politics, became a city commissioner and later Newark's director of public safety. As a schoolboy, young Bill helped the family income by delivering milk, making change for trolley riders. Graduating cum laude from University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, he won a scholarship to Harvard Law School, got his degree in 1931.

Legal Career: Practiced law with a Newark firm until 1942, when he joined the Army and specialized in industrial and labor-manpower cases; in 1944 was made Chief of Civilian Personnel of Army Ordnance, was discharged as a colonel a year later. He returned to his law firm only upon his insistence that he be made a partner, subsequently built a widespread reputation as an expert on labor law.

The Bench: Good Democrat Brennan was appointed (by Republican Governor Alfred Driscoll) to New Jersey Superior Court in 1949 (appellate and trial divisions), then in 1952 to the State Supreme Court. He is a protege of New Jersey's leonine Chief Justice Arthur Vanderbilt (TIME, Feb. 21, 1955), is hardworking, respected by lawyers, who have often found themselves discomfited because Brennan "sometimes catches you off guard." His opinions are clear, thoughtful, moderate; his mind is quick and sharp. As chairman of a New Jersey committee on calendar control and pretrial conference procedure, he helped give the state a commendable record in clearing congested court dockets. Earlier this year, he addressed the U.S. Attorney General's special conference on congestion in the courts, impressed Attorney General Herbert Brownell. Labor Secretary James Mitchell, who worked with Brennan during World War II, backed Brownell in recommending him to President Eisenhower for the court vacancy.

Family & Personality: Married 28 years, he is the father of three: William J. III, 23, a Marine Corps lieutenant; Hugh L., 20, a part-time college student; Nancy, 7. An affable, storytelling Irishman, Brennan has been called jaunty, dapper, lacking the austere aspect commonly associated with Justices. A much-sought after-dinner speaker, he also plays duffer golf (low 100s), likes to read American history, Plato, dime novels. Said his happy wife this week: "On Friday afternoon my husband called me from the office and said there was a telegram from the Attorney General. It said something about 'Come down and have breakfast with me and then we'll see the President.' It was such a surprise that we even had to borrow a suitcase from a neighbor, so that we could get him off in time to make the train. The next afternoon he called and told me what the President told him about the appointment--but I've been so excited about it that what he said has gone out of my mind."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.