Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes

Pohlman calls for the interpretation of Holmes as a moderate defender of free speech, affording insight into Holmes's basic understanding of American constitutionalism. He argues that Holmes's crucial role was in developing the radical idea that the Constitution is a "living" entity. "Persuasive. A welcome addition." —The Journal of Legal History "A masterly exposition of the complex details of Holmes' Supreme Court work." —The Core Review In this work, H.L. Pohlman calls for a new interpretation of Holmes as a moderate defender of free speech, and provides a window into Holmes' basic understanding of American constitutionalism. Pohlman argues that Holmes played a crucial role in the development of the idea that the Constitution is a living entity, an idea that differed radically from nineteenth-century antecedents.