Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, a low-key New England Republican who was an unexpectedly liberal voice in his 18 years on the nation’s top court, died at his home Thursday, the Supreme Court announced. He was 85.

David Souter, a former Supreme Court justice appointed by George H.W. Bush, died 16 years after he retired from the bench in 2009. He was 85.

Bookish and reclusive jurist David Souter, who joined the U.S. Supreme Court as a supposed conservative "stealth nominee" but instead emerged as a liberal justice who backed abortion rights and dissented in the 2000 ruling that gave the presidency to Republican George W.