Althouse: "Marty Ginsburg was known in Supreme Court circles as Justice Ginsburg’s secret weapon."

June 27, 2010

"Marty Ginsburg was known in Supreme Court circles as Justice Ginsburg’s secret weapon."

"Justice Ginsburg herself can sometimes be shy, awkward, and introverted, but her husband was gregarious, charming, and a great entertainer.... Martin Ginsburg’s passing is undoubtedly a great loss to ... Justice Ginsburg, to whom he was married for 56 years...."

Reading this, I put my face in my hands for several minutes and cried.

22 comments:

Revenant said...: Rest in peace.; 6/27/10, 7:36 PM
Daniel Fielding said...: RIP, Marty Ginsberg; 6/27/10, 7:38 PM
Anonymous said...: And give thanks for the Martys and the Meades of the world. May we all have such sweeties lurking in our backgrounds.; 6/27/10, 7:42 PM
Palladian said...: 56 years... Wow. Amazing that that's amazing these days, but it is.

RIP and consolation to Justice Ginsburg.; 6/27/10, 7:49 PM
Blue@9 said...: No way. Jeez that makes me sad. I took Corporate Tax with him and he was every bit as awesome as everyone said. Truly a class act who will sorely be missed.; 6/27/10, 7:49 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: How sad. Condolences to Ginsburg.

(I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a very gregarious spouse and is now trying to imagine what it would be like to go around in the world without him.); 6/27/10, 7:57 PM
MadisonMan said...: He sounds like someone who would be fun to know. Condolences to his family.; 6/27/10, 8:00 PM
Irene said...: Very sad; I second what Greg said.; 6/27/10, 8:09 PM
Anonymous said...: Professor AA must be sensing her own mortality to be brought to tears. Why the sadness? A life that was lived well passes from the scene, as all must. The Ginsburgs spent 56, apparently joyous years together, which is infinitely more than most married partners ever get to do. This was a loving marriage to be celebrated, even in death.; 6/27/10, 8:15 PM
Unknown said...: I doubt most of us could imagine the depth of her sorrow. As she had watched it coming, I'm sure she is also relieved that her husband's ordeal is over.

Madam Justice has my deepest sympathies.; 6/27/10, 8:24 PM
Jeff with one 'f' said...: "Being appointed to the exalted U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit is like touching the face of God."

What an appalling simile.; 6/27/10, 8:44 PM
Dr. Alice said...: What a very sad thing. Losing a beloved partner after 56 years - I can only imagine how she is feeling. My condolences to Justice Ginsburg.; 6/27/10, 9:02 PM
William said...: She's been ailing, and he was dying. What's the big attraction in being a Supreme Court Justice that she keeps plugging away under such conditions?; 6/27/10, 9:06 PM
David said...: Love the Ginsberg speech quoted in the article, and of course the notion of Justice Ginsberg and Scalia going to India together.

It's not surprising that Ginsberg and Scalia like each other. They are both Old School in respectful manners, still close products of their immigrant heritage, tough and demanding, high horsepower intellects, confident, and deeply satisfied with their marriages and families.

Old age is not for sissies, and quite clearly Justice Ginsberg is no sissie.; 6/27/10, 9:20 PM
paul a'barge said...: He sounds like a great guy.

Just note, he was married to one of the most dangerous people in power in Washington in recent history.

Just saying...; 6/27/10, 9:29 PM
amba said...: You forgot the "Emotional Althouse" tag . . .; 6/27/10, 10:44 PM
former law student said...: What's the big attraction in being a Supreme Court Justice that she keeps plugging away under such conditions?

People who have only their and their spouse's ailments to occupy their minds are not the happiest people.; 6/27/10, 11:13 PM
Fred4Pres said...: I am sorry for Marty Ginsberg's passing.; 6/27/10, 11:34 PM
Chase said...: What a sweet story. Condolences to Justice Ginsburg and family.; 6/27/10, 11:51 PM
Anonymous said...: You can call Marty her "husband", but that doesn't make it so. Neither does saying that they are "married".

I refuse to recognize that "marriage".

But it's still upsetting that her boyfriend passed away.; 6/28/10, 8:28 AM
dbp said...: It is sad whenever something of beauty has left this world.

Condolences to RBG.; 6/28/10, 10:14 AM
Methadras said...: All the best to Mrs. Ginsburg and my deepest sympathies. May he rest in peace and may she find solace and peace as well.; 6/30/10, 1:21 AM