Earl Warren held the office of Chief Justice of the United States.
Earl Warren ( March 19 , 1891 -- July 9 , 1974 ) was an American jurist and politician , who served as the 30th Governor of California ( 1943 -- 1953 ) and later the 14th Chief Justice of the United States ( 1953 -- 1969 ) . He is best known for the liberal decisions of the so-called Warren Court , which outlawed segregation in public schools and transformed many areas of American law , especially regarding the rights of the accused , ending public school-sponsored prayers , and requiring `` one man -- one vote '' rules of apportionment of election districts . The Warren Court refers to the Supreme Court of the United States during the period when Earl Warren served as Chief Justice .