SOTOMAYOR, SONIA. (b. 1954). American Supreme Court justice whose 2009 appointment made her the third female and first woman of color and first Latina justice. 1 ALS & 3 TLSs. On Supreme Court stationery. To architectural historian ELIZABETH MOYNIHAN (1930-2023), widow of Senator Daniel Patrick “Pat” Moynihan (1927-2003).

ALS. (“Soni”). 1p. 12mo. Washington, (October 27, 2010).

“What an extraordinary woman you are. Thank you for the delicious dinner, the warm conversation and the start of a friendship.”

With envelope.

TLS. (“Soni”). 1p. 12mo. Washington, June 28, 2012.

“Just heard you took a fall. I am so sorry. It is a tremendous annoyance. Recover soon, and I hope to see you this summer…”

TLS. (“Sonia”). 1p. 4to. Washington, August 19, 2014.

“You are the consummate hostess. I enjoyed your fabulous meal, but more importantly, I enjoyed the time I spent with you. Your heart is golden and I see its brightness in the eyes of your grandchildren. Thank you for a wonderful dinner and the joy of your company...”

With envelope.

TLS. (“Sonia Sotomayor”). 1p. 4to. Washington, November 20, 2014.

“I was just told of Tim’s recent health struggles. I am heartbroken to hear that Tim is not doing well. I know your strength, love and support will wrap him in hope and encouragement during this difficult time. My best wishes to you, Tim, Tracey and Zora, as well as Maura and Michael as you face this challenge...”

Born to Puerto Rican parents in the Bronx, Sotomayor graduated from Princeton and Yale and worked as an assistant district attorney in New York City. In 1991 President George H. W. Bush nominated her to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and, in 1997, President Bill Clinton nominated her to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second District. In addition to hearing nearly 400 cases in New York, she also held faculty positions at Columbia and New York University before President Barack Obama nominated her to the Supreme Court after the retirement of David Souter. She was confirmed in 2009 and has become known for her impassioned dissents and defense of the rights of the accused.

Elizabeth Moynihan was very active in politics, acting as Moynihan’s campaign manager and advising him throughout his career. She also worked in the field of architectural preservation and authored several works on the architecture of India. Our warm correspondence refers to Moynihan’s son, political cartoonist (under the pseudonym Gus Murphy) and artist, Timothy Patrick Moynihan’s (1957-2015) struggle with cancer and also mentions the Moynihan’s other surviving child, writer and human rights activist Maura Moynihan (b. 1965) and their families.

All the letters are in excellent condition. Uncommon.