Retired Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter has died at age 85. The ascetic bachelor and New Hampshire Republican became a favorite of liberals during his nearly 20 years on the bench.

The tenure of the late Justice David H. Souter on the Supreme Court helped shape the modern era of judicial confirmations.

Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, a Republican appointee who retired from the high court in 2009 after voting consistently with its liberal wing, has died, the Supreme Court announced on Friday.