Here's a look at the life of Anthony Kennedy, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Personal: Birth date: July 23, 1936

Birth place: Sacramento, California

Birth name: Anthony McLeod Kennedy

Father: Anthony J. Kennedy, lawyer and lobbyist

Mother: Gladys (McLeod) Kennedy, civic leader

Marriage: Mary (Davis) Kennedy (1963 - present)

Children: Justin, Gregory, Kristin

Education: London School of Economics, 1957-1958; Stanford University B.A. Political Science, 1954-1958; Harvard Law School LL.B., 1961

Military Service: California Army National Guard, PFC 1961

Religion: Roman Catholic

Other Facts: He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

While a Sacramento lawyer in private practice he was also a lobbyist.

His nomination to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals by President Gerald Ford was a result of his being recommended by California's then governor, Ronald Reagan.

He is known for his reverence for legal precedent, for creating unlikely coalitions among the justices, and for being a strong advocate of free speech.

Kennedy teaches at the University of Salzburg in Austria during the court's summer recess. The class is offered as part of the University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law's summer program.

Timeline: 1962 - Kennedy is admitted to the California Bar.

1961-1963 - Practices law at the firm of Thelen, Marrin, John & Bridges in San Francisco.

1963 - After his father's sudden death, Kennedy takes over his law practice in Sacramento.

1965-1988 - Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law.

1973 - Helps draft Proposition 1, a California ballot initiative to limit state spending, which later fails.

May 30, 1975-February 2, 1988 - Judge, Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

November 11, 1987 - To fill the seat vacated by Justice Lewis Powell's retirement, President Ronald Reagan nominates Judge Kennedy to the Supreme Court after the confirmation failures of nominees Robert Bork and Douglas Ginsburg.

February 3, 1988 - The Senate votes unanimously to confirm his appointment.

February 18, 1988 - Kennedy is sworn in as the 104th justice of the Supreme Court.