Appointed to the Supreme Court in 1990 by Republican President George H.W. Bush, Souter quickly emerged as a consistent "liberal" vote in high-profile cases about hot-button issues such as abortion and affirmative action.

Retired Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter has died at age 85. The ascetic bachelor and New Hampshire Republican became a favorite of liberals during his nearly 20 years on the bench.

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, the Supreme Court announced on Friday.