Rehnquist Papers Released by Hoover Institution

Yesterday, the Hoover Institution released the papers of the late Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. The story from the New York Times is here, and the press release from the Institution is here. A finding aid has been made available. Materials released so far include the years 1947-1974, and include files for such high-profile cases as Roe v. Wade, Branzburg v. Hayes, and Furman v. Georgia. "Personal correspondence files will be available by January 5, 2009," according to the press release, and additional materials ("speeches, writings, book drafts, and other documents") will be made available in the spring. At the Rehenquist family's request, all materials for the Supreme Court terms of 1975-2005 will be released while any member who served with Chief Justice Rehnquist is still living. Justice John Paul Stevens joined the Court in 1975, and although there has been speculation about when he will retire, he shows no signs of slowing down.