Charles Fried

Charles Fried at Harvard

Charles Fried (born April 15, 1935) is a prominent American jurist, lawyer, and legal scholar. He has made significant contributions to the fields of constitutional law, contract law, and legal philosophy. Fried has served in various academic and governmental positions, including as a professor at Harvard Law School and as the Solicitor General of the United States.

Early Life and Education

Charles Fried was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, and emigrated to the United States with his family in 1939. He attended Princeton University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1956. Fried then went on to study at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, receiving a B.A. in 1958. He completed his legal education at Columbia Law School, earning his LL.B. in 1960.

Academic Career

Fried began his academic career at Harvard Law School in 1961, where he has taught courses in constitutional law, contracts, and legal philosophy. He has authored numerous influential books and articles, including "Contract as Promise" and "Modern Liberty and the Limits of Government." His work often explores the intersection of law and moral philosophy, emphasizing the importance of individual rights and the rule of law.

Government Service

In addition to his academic work, Charles Fried has held several significant positions in the U.S. government. From 1985 to 1989, he served as the Solicitor General of the United States under President Ronald Reagan. In this role, he argued numerous cases before the Supreme Court of the United States, advocating for the administration's positions on a wide range of legal issues.

Judicial Philosophy

Fried is known for his conservative judicial philosophy, which emphasizes a strict interpretation of the United States Constitution. He has been a vocal critic of judicial activism and has argued for a more restrained role for the judiciary in interpreting the law. His views have influenced many legal scholars and practitioners, and he remains an important figure in contemporary legal debates.

Personal Life

Charles Fried is married to Joan Fried, and they have three children. He continues to teach and write, contributing to the ongoing discourse in legal scholarship and public policy.

Selected Works

• "Contract as Promise: A Theory of Contractual Obligation" (1981)
• "Modern Liberty and the Limits of Government" (2006)
• "Saying What the Law Is: The Constitution in the Supreme Court" (2004)

See Also

• Harvard Law School
• Solicitor General of the United States
• Constitutional law
• Contract law
• Legal philosophy