Warren E. Burger, the Artist
Warren E. Burger had a keen interest in art, and always made time in his busy schedule to visit museums and art galleries. By virtue of being Chief Justice, he was the chairman of the board of the National Gallery of Art, as well as chancellor of the Smithsonian Institution. And the Chief Justice was artistically creative himself. He sculpted, drew and painted throughout his lifetime.
Warrren E. Burger: Sketch of the Capitol and the Supreme Court, n.d. Ink on paper.
Warren E. Burger: U.S. v. Aaron Burr, 1807, 1953
Photo reproduction of oil on canvas board. Burger painted this still life in the spring of 1953 when he was assistant attorney general. The volume of the U. S. Reports he chose as an inspiration contains the 1807 case U.S. v. Aaron Burr. Aaron Burr (1756-1836), a lawyer and politician from New York, was Vice President under Thomas Jefferson from 1801-1805. Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804 and was indicted for treason in 1807, after he had been involved in schemes of rebellion against the United States. Burr was acquitted by Chief Justice John Marshall, who ruled that two witnesses are needed for a treason conviction. Original on loan from Leonora Burger
Warren E. Burger, handwritten note referring to the still life U.S. v. Aaron Burr, 1953. Loan of Leonora Burger.
Burger, who was Assistant Attorney General at the time, describes his thoughts about the still life U.S. v. Aaron Burr. The note was found taped to the back of the painting.