Clarence Thomas is famous primarily for serving as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, a position he has held since 1991[1]. He is notable for being the second African American to serve on the Supreme Court, following Thurgood Marshall, whom he replaced[5]. His appointment was significant for shifting the Court in a more conservative direction[5].
Thomas is recognized for his originalist approach to constitutional interpretation, often emphasizing the Constitution’s original meaning even more strictly than fellow conservative Justice Antonin Scalia[1]. He is also well known for his willingness to overrule precedent and his advocacy for judicial restraint[1]. Over his tenure, he has authored hundreds of opinions, concurrences, and dissents, often expressing conservative views on key legal and political issues[1].
He first gained national attention during his contentious confirmation hearings, which were marked by controversy and public debate[1]. Before his Supreme Court career, Thomas held several significant government roles, including Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from 1982 to 1990 and a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit[2][6].