BREAKING: Retired Supreme Court Justice David Souter dies at 85

The court did not cite a reason in its press release for the New Hampshire Republican's death. Souter retired at the age of 69 from the court after serving for 19 years on the bench.

Chief Justice John Roberts. said of Justice Souter's death: “Justice David Souter served our Court with great distinction for nearly twenty years. He brought uncommon wisdom and kindness to a lifetime of public service. After retiring to his beloved New Hampshire in 2009, he continued to render significant service to our branch by sitting regularly on the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit for more than a decade. He will be greatly missed.”

Born in 1939, Souter earned degrees from Harvard College and Oxford before graduating from Harvard Law School with an LL.B. He then moved through the New Hampshire legal system, serving as Assistant and Deputy Attorney General, and eventually Attorney General.

His judicial career started in the state's Superior Court, progressed to the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and eventually Souter was appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States by George HW Bush in 1990.

During his retirement, "Justice Souter participated in civics education curriculum reform efforts in New Hampshire," the press release from the Supreme Court stated. Throughout his life, he remained a bachelor, and never married.

According to the New York Times, he left many conservatives disappointed in his decisions, as he migrated from right to left during his tenure. He was confirmed to the bench with a vote of 90 to 9 in the Senate in 1990. Each of the votes opposed to Souter came from Democrats at the time.