Childhood and Education Journey of Merrick Garland in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 19, 2025

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Merrick Garland. From birth to education, explore key events.

Merrick Garland is an American lawyer and jurist. He served as the 86th United States Attorney General from 2021 to 2025. Prior to this role, he was a circuit judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit from 1997 to 2021. Notably, in 2016, President Barack Obama nominated Garland to the Supreme Court, but the Senate declined to hold a confirmation vote on his nomination.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1915: Father's Birth Year

In 1915, Merrick Garland's father, Cyril Garland, was born.

1925: Mother's Birth Year

In 1925, Merrick Garland's mother, Shirley (née Horwitz), was born.

November 13, 1952: Merrick Garland's Birth

Merrick Garland was born on November 13, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois.

1970: High School Graduation

In 1970, Merrick Garland graduated as the class valedictorian from Niles West High School in Skokie, Illinois.

1974: Graduation from Harvard

In 1974, Merrick Garland graduated from Harvard with a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude.

1977: Graduation from Harvard Law School

In 1977, Merrick Garland graduated from Harvard Law School with a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude.

September 1987: Garland marries Lynn Rosenman

In September 1987, Garland married Lynn Rosenman at the Harvard Club in Midtown Manhattan.

2003: Elected to Harvard Board of Overseers

In 2003, Merrick Garland was elected to the Harvard Board of Overseers.

2009: President of Harvard Board of Overseers

In 2009, Merrick Garland served as president of the Harvard Board of Overseers.

2016: Garland's net worth disclosed

Financial disclosure forms in 2016 indicated that Garland's net worth at the time was between $6 million and $23M.

June 2018: Lynn Rosenman advises on voting systems security

As of June 2018, Lynn Rosenman Garland advised government and nonprofit groups on voting systems security and accuracy issues.

June 2018: Garland attends daughter's wedding

In June 2018, Garland took part in the ceremony when his daughter Rebecca married Xan Tanner.

July 2020: Jessica Garland hired as law clerk

In early July 2020, Justice Elena Kagan hired Jessica Garland, a 2019 graduate of Yale Law School, as one of her law clerks to serve as a law clerk in 2022-2023.