kennedy was born in sacramento, california, on july 23, 1936. he went to harvard university, stanford university, and the london school of economics. he was a private lawyer, a professor, and in 1975, he was appointed by gerald ford to the ninth circuit court of appeals. in 1988, ronald reagan nominated him for the supreme court. he became a member of the court on february 18, 1988. he has two sons and a daughter.