William Cushing was one of the original five associate justices of the United States Supreme Court; confirmed by the United States Senate on September 26, 1789, he served until his death. His Supreme Court tenure of 20 years and 11 months was the longest among the Court's inaugural members. In January 1796, he was nominated by President George Washington to become the Court's Chief Justice; though confirmed, he declined the appointment. He was the last judge in the United States to wear a full wig.
William Cushing
Cushing's gravesite
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
An associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States is a justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, other than the chief justice of the United States. The number of associate justices is eight, as set by the Judiciary Act of 1869.
Clarence Thomas, since October 23, 1991
Samuel Alito, since January 31, 2006
Sonia Sotomayor, since August 8, 2009
Elena Kagan, since August 7, 2010