The Great Dissenter

In The Great Dissenter, listeners are introduced to the remarkable life of Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan, an unwavering advocate for civil rights and economic freedom during the Gilded Age. The biography explores Harlan's transformative journey from an esteemed justice, influenced by his upbringing alongside Robert Harlan, a former slave turned political leader, to becoming a powerful dissenter against the oppression of marginalized communities. With a focus on his pivotal dissents, particularly in Plessy v. Ferguson, this compelling narrative highlights Harlan’s lasting impact on the legal battles for civil rights and the foundation of modern American democracy.