Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter was appointed by President George HW Bush in 1990|Harvard Law Record|CC BY 2.0

Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter passed away Thursday at his home at the age of 85.

Appointed by President George HW Bush in 1990, the Republican-nominated justice was initially expected to be a conservative voice. He surprised many by consistently taking liberal stances on key issues like abortion and civil rights.

He also dissented in the 2000 Bush v. Gore ruling, which halted the Florida recount, effectively handing the presidency to George W. Bush.

Souter retired in 2009, allowing President Barack Obama to appoint his successor.