Alias

John Voelker was a mid-twentieth century justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. But he had another side. Under the alias Robert Traver he wrote several novels including Danny and the Boys, Trout Madness, Trout Magic, Laughing Whitefish, and Anatomy of a Murder. This last one was turned into an Academy Award-nominated movie that continues to be lauded as one of the finest courtroom dramas in American film.

Visit our Verdict of History section to learn more about the Art of Crafting an Opinion. Then, be sure to read the Majority Opinion which begins “I dissent”.

Justice Voelker’s portrait is hanging out in the Society’s office today, awaiting its new location in the Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center. If only the ghost of John Voelker/Robert Traver could guide these blogging fingers…