Bookish and reclusive jurist David Souter, who joined the U.S. Supreme Court as a supposed conservative "stealth nominee" but instead emerged as a liberal justice who backed abortion rights and dissented in the 2000 ruling that gave the presidency to Republican George W.

Retired Supreme Court Justice David Souter was a steady member of the high court's liberal wing during his tenure despite being appointed by a Republican president.

Souter became a darling of liberals during his nearly 20 years on the bench. He died at his home in New Hampshire, the Supreme Court said.