Oliver Wendell Holmes

Interviewee: Paul Lombardo. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes' Supreme Court decisions contained a number of memorable phrases, and Buck vs. Bell provided him an opportunity to create another. (DNAi Location: Chronicle > Trial of Carrie Buck > Players > Oliver Wendell Holmes)

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. was widely known for his opinions containing famous phrases, such as "yelling fire in a crowded theatre," or "clear and present danger." In the case of Buck vs. Bell, he delivered another such phrase, much more infamously so. Of the Buck family he said, "Three generations of imbeciles are enough."

oliver wendell holmes jr,oliver wendell holmes,supreme court decisions,carrie buck,famous phrases,clear and present danger,memorable phrases,buck family,three generations,trial justice,dnai,interviewee,lombardo,sterilization,phrase

Related Content

15227. Holmes' statements at Buck vs. Bell, Paul Lombardo

Paul Lombardo talks about Oliver Wendell Holmes' support for eugenic sterilization was contrary to his record as a defender of civil liberties.

  • ID: 15227
  • Source: DNAi

15230. Holmes' conclusions at Buck vs. Bell, Paul Lombardo

Paul Lombardo talks bout in the Supreme Court decision, Justice Holmes compared sterilization for feeblemindedness to a vaccination for smallpox.

  • ID: 15230
  • Source: DNAi

15220. The Buck vs. Bell decision, Paul Lombardo

Paul Lombardo talks about the case conluded that Carrie, Emma, and Vivian represented three generations of imbeciles, which justified Carrie's sterilization.

  • ID: 15220
  • Source: DNAi

15759. Oliver Wendell Holmes

The Buck vs. Bell case then went to the U.S. Supreme Court, where Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. gave the majority opinion.

  • ID: 15759
  • Source: DNAi

12191. "The Progress of Eugenical Sterilization," by Paul Popenoe, Journal of Heredity (vol. 25:1), including journal cover and contents page (6)

"The Progress of Eugenical Sterilization," by Paul Popenoe, Journal of Heredity (vol. 25:1), including journal cover and contents page (6)

  • ID: 12191
  • Source: EA

12190. "The Progress of Eugenical Sterilization," by Paul Popenoe, Journal of Heredity (vol. 25:1), including journal cover and contents page (5)

"The Progress of Eugenical Sterilization," by Paul Popenoe, Journal of Heredity (vol. 25:1), including journal cover and contents page (5)

  • ID: 12190
  • Source: EA

10255. Buck vs. Bell Supreme Court Decision

Buck vs. Bell Supreme Court Decision

  • ID: 10255
  • Source: EA

12197. Oliver Wendell Holmes, from "The Progress of Eugenical Sterilization," by Paul Popenoe, Journal of Heredity (vol. 25:1)

Oliver Wendell Holmes, from "The Progress of Eugenical Sterilization," by Paul Popenoe, Journal of Heredity (vol. 25:1)

  • ID: 12197
  • Source: EA

11300. "Sterilization of Defectives, Aim," report on Buck v. Bell Supreme Court Decision, Richmond Courier Journal (5/26/1927)

"Sterilization of Defectives, Aim," report on Buck v. Bell Supreme Court Decision, Richmond Courier Journal (5/26/1927)

  • ID: 11300
  • Source: EA

10256. Buck vs. Bell Supreme Court Decision (1)

Buck vs. Bell Supreme Court Decision (1)

  • ID: 10256
  • Source: EA