- Born: Jan. 23, 1915; Jackson, Mich.
- Educated: Yale College, B.A., 1937; LL.B., 1941
- Married: Mary Ann Bertles, 1943
- Nominated: Oct. 14, 1953, by President Dwight Eisenhower
- Commissioned: Oct. 14, 1958
- Dates of Service: May 15, 1959 to July 31, 1981
- Died: Dec. 7, 1985, Hanover, N.H
Potter Stewart was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1941 and the New York Bar in 1942. He was briefly associated with Debevoise, Stevenson, Plimpton, and Page in New York City between 1941 and 1942. He left the firm to enter the Navy during World War II. In 1945 Potter Stewart again returned to practice with the Debevoise firm on Wall Street.
In 1947 Potter Stewart moved to his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he began practice with Dinsmore, Shohl, Sawyer and Dinsmore, becoming a member of the firm in 1951. He served as a member of the Cincinnati City Council from 1950 to 1953 and as vice-mayor between 1952 and 1953. From 1954 to 1958 Potter Stewart served as judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, having been appointed by President Eisenhower.
Potter Stewart was nominated to the Supreme Court of the United States by President Dwight Eisenhower in October 1958, to fill the seat previously occupied by Justice Harold H. Burton. He retired on July 3, 1981, but continued to sit by designation on various Courts of Appeals. On July 19, 1983, Potter Steward was appointed to the National Bipartisan Commission on Central America, and on July 28, 1983, he was appointed to the President's Commission on Organized Crime. He continued to be active until his death at the age of 70 in 1985.