Clarence Thomas
Awards & Honours
2
Awards Won
4
Honours
2
Rankings
5
Covers
2
Records
Clarence Thomas holds the historic distinction of being the second-longest-serving Supreme Court justice in U.S. history, surpassing John Paul Stevens and John Marshall. As of May 2026, he has served 12,615 days, trailing only William O. Douglas. He is also the second African American to serve on the Supreme Court, following Thurgood Marshall. Thomas's memoir My Grandfather's Son was a New York Times bestseller. His confirmation vote of 52-48 was the narrowest margin for a successful Supreme Court nominee in over a century. Thomas has received the Presidential Citizens Medal and the Francis Boyer Award, along with numerous honorary degrees.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
Second-longest-serving Supreme Court Justice in U.S. history
Served 12,615 days as of May 2026, second only to William O. Douglas.
Second African American to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court
After Thurgood Marshall.
Presidential Citizens Medal
Awarded for exemplary service to the country.
Francis Boyer Award
Awarded for contributions to public policy.
Rankings & Lists
Second-longest-serving Supreme Court Justice of all time
Most conservative justice on the current Supreme Court
Magazine Covers
Time Magazine
October 1991
The Thomas-Hill Hearings
People Magazine
1991
Coverage of confirmation hearings
The New York Times Magazine
Various
Profiles over the years
National Review
Various
Multiple cover features
The American Spectator
Various
Cover profiles
Records & Feats
Second-longest-serving Supreme Court Justice in U.S. history
As of May 2026, Thomas has served 12,615 days, second only to William O. Douglas (13,358 days).
Narrowest confirmation margin in over a century
Confirmed by the Senate with a 52-48 vote in 1991, the slimmest margin for a successful Supreme Court nominee since the 19th century.