U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has gone to his eternal reward. The front page of The New York Times today quoted Court of Appeals Judge Richard Posner as writing in 2011 that Justice Scalia was “the most influential justice of the last quarter century.” Whether you agreed with his views or not, he was in my estimation the best writer of legal opinions that I have ever read. Period.

I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with Justice Scalia when he attended a reception prior to speaking at a dinner in Wilmington sponsored by the St. Thomas More Society about a decade ago. More recently, I met him again at a book signing in Wilmington where he signed one of his latest books for a group of Delaware lawyers that included yours truly. Over the last 24 hours or so since his passing, much has been written, and more will continue to be written about his towering intellect and the lasting impact he will have on American jurisprudence. I agree with Professor Bainbridge’s observation that his death is a national tragedy.

I extend my prayers and sympathies to his family. May he rest in peace.