Who wrote Commentaries on the Laws of England and is frequently cited by the Supreme Court when interpreting the Constitution?

• A. William Blackstone
• B. Thomas Hooker
• C. Anne Hutchinson
• D. William Penn

Answer: (A)

William Blackstone wrote the Commentaries on the Laws of England, a comprehensive overview of English law that became a foundational reference for both colonial and American legal thinking. His work organized how people understand rights, property, and the relationship between individuals and government, providing a clear, authoritative account of the common-law tradition. Because the U.S. Constitution was shaped within that legal context, the Supreme Court often cites Blackstone to illustrate and interpret general principles of liberty, rights, and the legal framework that underpins constitutional protections.

The other individuals mentioned played important roles in early American history, but none authored the Commentaries. Thomas Hooker helped shape colonial governance in Connecticut, Anne Hutchinson was a religious dissenter, and William Penn founded Pennsylvania; none produced this influential legal text.