This is the third in a Governing series on a historical look at the Supreme Court to coincide with nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson's confirmation process, which continued this week before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Just 51 years old, nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, if confirmed, would join a growing list of relatively young justices who are likely to serve for much longer than was anticipated when lifetime appointments were first codified.

With hearings underway to fill an opening on the Supreme Court, it may be useful to look back on the history of court appointments. “Appointments,” Thomas Jefferson said, “and disappointments.”