The library of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg served not only as a collection of books but as a window into her intellectual world and a testament to her extraordinary career. As one of the most influential legal minds of the 20th and 21st centuries, Ginsburg’s library was a reflection of her lifelong dedication to law, equality, and justice. It housed works of legal scholarship, history, and literature, each serving as a cornerstone for her groundbreaking work on the U.S. Supreme Court. Ginsburg’s legacy—marked by her tireless advocacy for gender equality, civil rights, and social justice—was rooted in a deep commitment to intellectual rigor and compassion. Her library, with its rich collection of materials and her own personal annotations, symbolizes the blend of scholarship and empathy that defined her. As we explore the contents of Ginsburg’s library, we are reminded of the immense impact she had on shaping modern legal thought and the fight for justice.
From the Library of Ruth Bader Ginsburg: First Edition of Susan H. Williams’ Constituting Equality; Inscribed by Williams to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Constituting Equality: Gender Equality and Comparative Sonstitutional Law (2009)
Dedicated to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, “who has been for me, as for so many others, a mentor, a role model, and an inspiration,” Susan H. Williams’ ‘Constituting Equality‘ draws a scrutinizing gaze to the issues that arise in constitutional drafting concerning gender equality. The essays in the book address a range of issues of concern to women across the globe which can be and are often overlooked in the drafting of constitutional law.
From the Library of Ruth Bader Ginsburg: First Edition of Deborah L. Rhode’s Speaking of Sex; Inscribed by Rhode to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Speaking of Sex: The Denial of Gender Inequality (1997)
“Deborah L. Rhode was the Ernest W. McFarland Professor of Law and the Director of the Center on the Legal Profession. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude from Yale College and received her JD from Yale Law School. She clerked for United States Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall before joining the Stanford Law School faculty in 1979… She was the nation’s most frequently cited scholar on legal ethics” (Stanford Law). “In ‘Speaking of Sex,’ Deborah Rhode smartly and persuasively shows that for all the chatter about sex and sex roles on TV talk shows, silence is still the rule when it comes to speaking candidly about women’s second-class status. This is one problem the culture still wants to deny” (Susan Faludi, author of Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women).
First Edition of Donald G. Mathews and Jane Sherron de Hart’s Sex, Gender, and the Politics of ERA: A State and the Nation; Inscribed by de Hart to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Sex, Gender, and the Politics of ERA: A State and a Nation (1992)
“Sex, Gender, and the Politics of ERA Reveals the deeply felt meanings that activated participants on both sides of the battle … A fine contribution to our understanding of the increasingly salient politics of gender in the United States” (Frances Fox Piven, City University of New York). “Much more than a narrative account of the ratification process at the state level … The authors are to be commended for their balanced, dispassionate treatment of a topic for which no middle ground exists” (North Carolina Historical Review).
First edition of Women’s Human Rights; lengthily inscribed by Susan Deller Ross to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Women’s Human Rights: The International and Comparative Law Casebook (2008)
According to Susan Deller Ross, many human rights advocates still do not see women’s rights as human rights. Yet women in many countries suffer from laws, practices, customs, and cultural and religious norms that consign them to a deeply inferior status. Rich with interdisciplinary material, Women’s Human Rights advances the study of the deprivation and violence women suffer due to discriminatory laws, religions, and customs that deny them their most fundamental freedoms. “A definitive text on a topic both timely and timeless, Women’s Human Rights is an indispensable resource for all who care about gender and justice in any part of the world” (Madeleine K. Albright)
First Edition of Unequal Protection: Women, Children, and the Elderly in Court; inscribed by Lois G. Forer to Ruth Bader Ginsburg
An authority on criminal justice and lifelong advocate for the young, the elderly and the poor, Judge Lois G. Forer spent 32 years practicing law and 16 years on the bench. Her books on the law received critical acclaim nationally. In Unequal Protection, Forer examines specific cases she presided over in the Philadelphia courts that defied just termination. “Forer packs her book with important illustrative cases and draws on two decades of bench experience, yet her prose is accessible to the layperson” (Booklist).
First Edition of Ken Gormley’s The Presidents and the Constitution: A Living History; Inscribed by Bill Bader to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The Presidents and the Constitution: A Living History (2016)
The Presidents and the Constitution: A Living History is a fascinating and insightful exploration of the evolving relationship between the U.S. presidency and the Constitution. Written by leading constitutional scholars, this book delves into the ways in which each president has shaped, challenged, and interpreted the Constitution during their time in office. From the early days of George Washington to the present day, the book highlights key moments in American history where presidential decisions and actions have influenced the nation’s constitutional landscape. A significant figure in this ongoing conversation about the Constitution is Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose groundbreaking work on the Supreme Court played a pivotal role in shaping the interpretation of the Constitution, particularly in the areas of gender equality and civil rights. Ginsburg’s advocacy for a living Constitution—one that evolves to reflect the needs and values of society—aligns with the themes explored in The Presidents and the Constitution, as both examine how leadership and judicial decisions impact the rights and freedoms of American citizens. Ginsburg’s legacy continues to inspire debates on constitutional interpretation, making her contributions to constitutional law a critical piece of this living history.
First Edition of Molly Schiot’s Game Changers; Lengthily Inscribed to Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Game Changers: The Unsung Heroines of Sports History (2016)
Game Changers by Molly Schiot is an inspiring celebration of the women who have made groundbreaking contributions to the world of sports. This beautifully illustrated book profiles some of the most influential female athletes, pioneers, and trailblazers throughout history, shining a light on their struggles, triumphs, and lasting impact on sports and society. What makes Game Changers even more significant is the connection it shares with the work of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. As a champion for gender equality and women’s rights, Ginsburg’s legacy continues to inspire all areas of life, including sports. She was a vocal advocate for breaking down barriers for women, not just in the legal system, but in every realm of society—sports included. Ginsburg’s work in advancing equal rights under the law paved the way for women to have more opportunities and recognition in male-dominated fields, such as athletics. For women in sports, her fight for equality meant more visibility, access, and opportunity.
First edition of Jay Winik’s The Great Upheaval: America and the Birth of the Modern World; inscribed by him to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The Great Upheaval: America and the Birth of the Modern World (2007)
The Great Upheaval by Jay Winik is a captivating historical account of a transformative period in world history, exploring the upheavals and revolutions that reshaped societies during the late 18th century. The book examines the dramatic changes in Europe, focusing on key events like the French Revolution and the rise of revolutionary ideals that sought to challenge the status quo of monarchy, inequality, and rigid social structures. Winik’s powerful narrative weaves together the stories of visionaries, rulers, and ordinary people who took part in shaping a new world. In many ways, Ginsburg embodied the same ideals of progress and reform that the book highlights. She broke barriers as one of the few women on the U.S. Supreme Court and used her legal expertise to challenge laws that discriminated based on gender and promote equal protection for all. Just as the revolutionaries in Winik’s book sought to redefine their world, Ginsburg’s work sought to redefine the legal landscape, ensuring that progress, rights, and equality were embedded in the fabric of American law.
First Edition of Good Will Toward Men; Lengthily inscribed by Jack Kammer to Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Good Will Toward Men: Women Talk Candidly About the Balance of Power Between the Sexes (1994)
Good Will Toward Men: Women Talk Candidly About the Balance of Power Between the Sexes is a compelling exploration of the complexities surrounding gender dynamics and power in modern society. In this insightful collection, women from various backgrounds share their personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections on the challenges and opportunities they face when navigating a world shaped by gendered expectations. The book offers an honest, unfiltered look at how women balance their careers, relationships, and societal expectations while pushing for equality.
First Edition of Lori D. Ginzberg’s Elizabeth Cady Stanton: An American Life; from the library of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg; Inscribed by Bill Bader
Elizabeth Cady Stanton: An American Life (2009)
Elizabeth Cady Stanton: An American Life by Lori D. Ginzberg is a powerful biography that offers an intimate look into the life of one of America’s most iconic and groundbreaking feminists. As one of the central figures in the women’s suffrage movement, Stanton’s contributions to gender equality and women’s rights are immeasurable. Ginzberg’s account delves into Stanton’s personal and professional journey, highlighting her intelligence, determination, and unwavering commitment to social justice.
Signed by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg; Martin Ginsburg and artist Everett Raymond Kinstler
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Library and Lasting Impact
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s library was more than just a collection of books; it was a reflection of her lifelong commitment to learning, justice, and equality. Each volume, whether it was a legal text, a work of literature, or a historical account, symbolized her dedication to understanding the world and shaping it for the better. Just as her library was a source of knowledge and inspiration, Ginsburg’s legacy continues to serve as a beacon of hope for those who strive for equality and fairness. Her contributions to the legal field and her advocacy for women’s rights and civil liberties have left an indelible mark on American society. Ginsburg’s work and her belief in the power of the law to bring about change resonate deeply with the ongoing fight for justice. Her library, filled with personal annotations and intellectual pursuits, stands as a testament to the idea that knowledge and understanding are key to creating a more just world. As we reflect on her legacy, we are reminded that Ginsburg’s impact extends far beyond the pages of her library—it lives on in the lives she changed, the precedents she set, and the values she upheld. To discover more from the library of Ruth Bader Ginsburg click here.
