Hugo Black was an American jurist and politician who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1937 to 1971. He was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was known for his advocacy of civil liberties and expansive interpretations of the Constitution. He is best remembered for his role in the landmark decision of Brown v. Board of Education, which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. He was also a strong advocate of the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech and religion.