On July 20, 1990, U.S. Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr. resigned from the court after serving nearly 34 years (including three months with a recess appointment by President Dwight Eisenhower and two months while his nomination was confirmed).Only five justices served longer on the court, and only one justice wrote more opinions.Early life and careerBrennan was born in Newark, N.J., on April 5, 1906, to William and Agnes Brennan, both Irish immigrants. He was the second of eight children.Brennan’s father …