The global law community remembers Charles Fried, former Professor at Harvard Law School and U.S Solicitor General, for his open-mindedness, commitment to civil discourse, and readiness to change his views on certain matters. Charles Fried, a distinguished scholar and lawyer, passed away at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy in the world of law and legal academia.
Born to Jewish parents in Prague, Fried escaped the Nazi invasion by fleeing to New York after a brief stay in England. He held an impressive academic portfolio, earning degrees from Princeton, Oxford, and Columbia Law. After serving as a clerk on the US Supreme Court for Justice John Marshall Harlan II, he joined Harvard Law’s faculty in 1961 at just 26 and taught until his last year.
Early in his career as Solicitor General, Fried argued that Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision recognizing a woman’s legal right to an abortion, should be abolished. However, three decades later in 2021, Fried demonstrated his open-mindedness through a Times opinion piece in which he urged the Supreme Court to uphold Roe v. Wade. He believed that overturning it would be “an act of constitutional vandalism.” His willingness to reconsider his views wasn’t limited to this issue alone. Over the years, he revised his views on many controversial issues such as affirmative action and voting rights.
Former students and colleagues have paid tribute to Fried for his dedication to freedom of thought and inquiry and his consistent politeness towards everyone, as the alumni tributes collected by the Harvard Federalist Society highlight.
His ability to adapt his thinking based on new information or perspectives was a virtue he championed. At the time of his passing, Fried was reportedly working on a book titled “Why I Changed My Mind,” centering on the ability of influential figures throughout history to shift their views on critical matters.
In conclusion, Charles Fried exemplified the essence of academic pursuit – the will to examine, reexamine, and question existing narratives and norms. His contributions to legal scholarship and his dedication to intellectual honesty underscore his legacy as a teacher, mentor, adviser and a respected figure in legal academia.