Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is photographed at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in September 2015.
In pictures: Former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is photographed at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in September 2015.
Damon Winter/The New York Times/Redux

Updated 2:29 PM EDT, Thu June 30, 2022

Stephen Breyer has retired from the US Supreme Court.

The former justice helped swear in his replacement, Ketanji Brown Jackson, on Thursday.

When he first announced his retirement, Breyer said it had been his "great honor" to participate as a judge in the "effort to maintain our Constitution and the Rule of Law."

Breyer, 83, was nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1994. Before that, he served on the US Court of Appeals for nearly 15 years. He was also a former assistant prosecutor during the Watergate hearings in the 1970s.

"In his 27 years on the high court, Breyer has been a low-profile but crucial player," wrote Joan Biskupic, a CNN legal analyst and Supreme Court biographer. "He is a solid liberal but believes in bridging differences when possible and has tried to find compromise between the right-wing majority and remaining liberals."

This Breyer family photo shows a young Stephen, second from left, with his father, Irving; his mother, Anne; and his younger brother, Charles.
This Breyer family photo shows a young Stephen, second from left, with his father, Irving; his mother, Anne; and his younger brother, Charles.
Courtesy Breyer Family
Breyer holds his three children -— Chloe, Nell and Michael — in 1974.
Breyer holds his three children -— Chloe, Nell and Michael — in 1974.
Courtesy Dr. Joanna Breyer
In his early career, Breyer was a professor at Harvard Law School. This photo was taken in 1979.
In his early career, Breyer was a professor at Harvard Law School. This photo was taken in 1979.
Harvard Law School Library, Historical & Special Collections
Breyer, seen here in May 1993, was the chief judge of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The First Circuit includes Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico and Rhode Island.
Breyer, seen here in May 1993, was the chief judge of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The First Circuit includes Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico and Rhode Island.
Ira Wyman/Sygma/Getty Images
Breyer arrives at the White House in June 1993. He was being considered for the Supreme Court opening left by retiring Justice Byron White. That seat eventually went to Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Breyer arrives at the White House in June 1993. He was being considered for the Supreme Court opening left by retiring Justice Byron White. That seat eventually went to Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
John Harrington/AFP/Getty Images
Breyer and his wife, Joanna, are seen at Boston's Logan Airport in May 1994.
Breyer and his wife, Joanna, are seen at Boston's Logan Airport in May 1994.
John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe/Getty Images
Breyer walks with President Bill Clinton at the White House in May 1994. Breyer was chosen by Clinton to replace retiring Justice Harry Blackmun.
Breyer walks with President Bill Clinton at the White House in May 1994. Breyer was chosen by Clinton to replace retiring Justice Harry Blackmun.
Dirck Halstead/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
Breyer and his daughter Chloe jog with Clinton in May 1994.
Breyer and his daughter Chloe jog with Clinton in May 1994.
Doug Mills/AP
Breyer meets with US Sen. Joe Biden in Biden's office in May 1994.
Breyer meets with US Sen. Joe Biden in Biden's office in May 1994.
CQ Roll Call/AP
Breyer is joined by US Sen. Ted Kennedy at his confirmation hearings in July 1994. Breyer was confirmed by a vote of 84-9.
Breyer is joined by US Sen. Ted Kennedy at his confirmation hearings in July 1994. Breyer was confirmed by a vote of 84-9.
Laura Patterson/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images
Breyer receives an honorary degree at the Suffolk University Law School in September 1999.
Breyer receives an honorary degree at the Suffolk University Law School in September 1999.
John Blanding/Boston Globe/Getty Images
Breyer is greeted by US Secretary of State Colin Powell before President George W. Bush spoke in front of a joint session of Congress in February 2001.
Breyer is greeted by US Secretary of State Colin Powell before President George W. Bush spoke in front of a joint session of Congress in February 2001.
Mai/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
Breyer works in his office with his staff of clerks in June 2002.
Breyer works in his office with his staff of clerks in June 2002.
David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images
Breyer reads Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" to elementary school students who were visiting the Supreme Court in March 2003. It was National Read Across America Day.
Breyer reads Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" to elementary school students who were visiting the Supreme Court in March 2003. It was National Read Across America Day.
Evan Vucci/AP
Breyer, right, is joined by his brother Charles, who is also a judge, at a federal courthouse in San Francisco in May 2003.
Breyer, right, is joined by his brother Charles, who is also a judge, at a federal courthouse in San Francisco in May 2003.
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Breyer and his fellow Supreme Court justices file out of the court building to attend the funeral of former Chief Justice William Rehnquist in September 2005. From left are justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Breyer, Clarence Thomas, David Souter, William Kennedy, Antonin Scalia, Sandra Day O'Connor and John Paul Stevens.
Breyer and his fellow Supreme Court justices file out of the court building to attend the funeral of former Chief Justice William Rehnquist in September 2005. From left are justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Breyer, Clarence Thomas, David Souter, William Kennedy, Antonin Scalia, Sandra Day O'Connor and John Paul Stevens.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Breyer, second from right, attends a State of the Union address in January 2006. Joining Breyer, from left, are Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Clarence Thomas and newly confirmed Justice Samuel Alito.
Breyer, second from right, attends a State of the Union address in January 2006. Joining Breyer, from left, are Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Clarence Thomas and newly confirmed Justice Samuel Alito.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AFP/Getty Images
Breyer and fellow Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg attend Samuel Alito's ceremonial swearing-in.
Breyer and fellow Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg attend Samuel Alito's ceremonial swearing-in.
Gerald Herbert/AP
Breyer is seated between students Cole Mitguard, left, and C.J. Mourning while visiting San Francisco's Lowell High School in February 2006. Breyer graduated from Lowell in 1955.
Breyer is seated between students Cole Mitguard, left, and C.J. Mourning while visiting San Francisco's Lowell High School in February 2006. Breyer graduated from Lowell in 1955.
Penni Gladstone/San Francisco Chronicle/AP
Breyer walks off the field with his wife, Joanna, and their 3-year-old granddaughter, Clara Scholl, after throwing a ceremonial first pitch at Boston's Fenway Park in July 2006.
Breyer walks off the field with his wife, Joanna, and their 3-year-old granddaughter, Clara Scholl, after throwing a ceremonial first pitch at Boston's Fenway Park in July 2006.
Elise Amendola/AP
Breyer accepts an honorary doctorate from Belgium's Catholic University of Louvain in March 2009.
Breyer accepts an honorary doctorate from Belgium's Catholic University of Louvain in March 2009.
Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images
Breyer sits with former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor during a forum at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC, in May 2009.
Breyer sits with former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor during a forum at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC, in May 2009.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Breyer testifies before the House Judiciary Committee's Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee in May 2010. Breyer and fellow Justice Antonin Scalia testified to the subcommittee about the Administrative Conference of the United States.
Breyer testifies before the House Judiciary Committee's Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee in May 2010. Breyer and fellow Justice Antonin Scalia testified to the subcommittee about the Administrative Conference of the United States.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
From left, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Breyer, Vice President Joe Biden and first lady Michelle Obama listen to President Barack Obama speak at a White House reception in May 2010. The reception, held for Jewish American Heritage Month, celebrated Jewish American heritage and its contributions to American culture.
From left, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Breyer, Vice President Joe Biden and first lady Michelle Obama listen to President Barack Obama speak at a White House reception in May 2010. The reception, held for Jewish American Heritage Month, celebrated Jewish American heritage and its contributions to American culture.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Breyer sits down with ABC's George Stephanopoulos for a "Good Morning America" interview in September 2010.
Breyer sits down with ABC's George Stephanopoulos for a "Good Morning America" interview in September 2010.
Heidi Gutman/Walt Disney Television/Getty Images
Breyer speaks during an interview in Washington, DC, in October 2010.
Breyer speaks during an interview in Washington, DC, in October 2010.
Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Breyer and his wife, Joanna, arrive at the White House for a state dinner honoring Chinese President Hu Jintao in January 2011.
Breyer and his wife, Joanna, arrive at the White House for a state dinner honoring Chinese President Hu Jintao in January 2011.
Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg/Getty Images
President Barack Obama reads from his book, "Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters," as Breyer and some of his family members visit the White House Oval Office in May 2011. Joining Breyer, from left, are his wife, Joanna; his grandson Eli; and his daughter Nell.
President Barack Obama reads from his book, "Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters," as Breyer and some of his family members visit the White House Oval Office in May 2011. Joining Breyer, from left, are his wife, Joanna; his grandson Eli; and his daughter Nell.
Shutterstock
Breyer walks with Britain's Prince Charles as Charles visited the Supreme Court in May 2011.
Breyer walks with Britain's Prince Charles as Charles visited the Supreme Court in May 2011.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
Breyer and fellow Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia confer in October 2011 before testifying at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled "Considering the Role of Judges Under the Constitution of the United States."
Breyer and fellow Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia confer in October 2011 before testifying at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled "Considering the Role of Judges Under the Constitution of the United States."
Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/AP
Breyer greets members of the military and their families at a Washington Nationals baseball game in June 2013.
Breyer greets members of the military and their families at a Washington Nationals baseball game in June 2013.
Carolyn Kaster/AP
Vice President Joe Biden greets Breyer as he arrives at the funeral services for Ben Bradlee, the former editor of the Washington Post, in October 2014.
Vice President Joe Biden greets Breyer as he arrives at the funeral services for Ben Bradlee, the former editor of the Washington Post, in October 2014.
Bill O'Leary/AP
Breyer listens during a meeting of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee in March 2015.
Breyer listens during a meeting of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee in March 2015.
Pete Marovich/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Breyer appears on "The Late Show" with Stephen Colbert in September 2015.
Breyer appears on "The Late Show" with Stephen Colbert in September 2015.
Jeffrey R. Staab/CBS/Getty Images
President Donald Trump greets Breyer at his State of the Union address in January 2018.
President Donald Trump greets Breyer at his State of the Union address in January 2018.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Breyer, second from left, attends the State of the Union address in January 2018. With Breyer, from left, are Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Elena Kagan and Neil Gorsuch.
Breyer, second from left, attends the State of the Union address in January 2018. With Breyer, from left, are Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Elena Kagan and Neil Gorsuch.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Breyer and his wife, Joanna, are seated together for a private ceremony honoring the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg in September 2020. Seated from left are Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, the Breyers, former Justice Anthony Kennedy, Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Maureen Scalia, the wife of late Justice Antonin Scalia.
Breyer and his wife, Joanna, are seated together for a private ceremony honoring the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg in September 2020. Seated from left are Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, the Breyers, former Justice Anthony Kennedy, Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Maureen Scalia, the wife of late Justice Antonin Scalia.
Andrew Harnik/Pool/Getty Images
Members of the US Supreme Court <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/23/politics/amy-coney-barrett-supreme-court-picture/index.html" target="_blank">pose for a group photo </a>in Washington, DC, in April 2021. Seated from left are Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts, Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor. Standing behind them, from left, are Brett Kavanaugh, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch and newest Justice Amy Coney Barrett.
Members of the US Supreme Court pose for a group photo in Washington, DC, in April 2021. Seated from left are Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts, Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor. Standing behind them, from left, are Brett Kavanaugh, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch and newest Justice Amy Coney Barrett.
Erin Schaff/The New York Times/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Breyer holds up a copy of the Constitution as he <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/27/politics/biden-breyer-announcement/index.html" target="_blank">announces his retirement</a> alongside President Joe Biden in January 2022. In a brief speech that recounted historical figures from the nation's past, including Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, Breyer thanked the President, reflected on his time on the high court and expressed optimism about the future of the country.
Breyer holds up a copy of the Constitution as he announces his retirement alongside President Joe Biden in January 2022. In a brief speech that recounted historical figures from the nation's past, including Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, Breyer thanked the President, reflected on his time on the high court and expressed optimism about the future of the country.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Breyer speaks during an event at the Library of Congress in February 2022.
Breyer speaks during an event at the Library of Congress in February 2022.
Evan Vucci/Pool/Getty Images
Breyer reacts while being applauded during the State of the Union address in March 2022.
Breyer reacts while being applauded during the State of the Union address in March 2022.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Breyer administers the Judicial Oath to his replacement, Ketanji Brown Jackson, in June 2022. She was accompanied by her husband, Patrick.
Breyer administers the Judicial Oath to his replacement, Ketanji Brown Jackson, in June 2022. She was accompanied by her husband, Patrick.
Fred Schilling/Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States