The makings of Merrick Garland
Addressing the incoming class at Harvard Law School on Friday, U.S. Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland ’74, J.D. ’77, recalled how, as a federal prosecutor, he helped convict the Oklahoma City bombers and the Unabomber, in cases that garnered him national attention and acclaim. He also shared plenty of not-so-famous details about his life, such as his addiction to his iPad, his passion for volunteerism, and his adoration of J.K. Rowling, author of the “Harry Potter” series. As a member of Harvard’s Board of Overseers, Garland, 63, was even a force behind Rowling’s selection as the University’s 2008 Commencement speaker. He related that when one of his daughters was young, she was having trouble reading. “The thing that got her over the hump was being read the ‘Harry Potter’ books. And then having her read the ‘Harry Potter’ books to us,” he said. “I recommended that J.K. Rowling get an honorary degree, which she...