WASHINGTON—Following the death of C. Boyden Gray, John Malcolm, Vice President for the Institute for Constitutional Government at The Heritage Foundation, today released the following statement: 

"The legal profession and the conservative movement lost one of its steadfast warriors with the passing of C. Boyden Gray.

 

"Boyden had a profound influence on the legal profession and leaves a legacy that will live on through the future generations of young conservative lawyers whom he mentored and inspired. He will be mourned and missed by the many individuals whose lives he touched.

 

"It was always a pleasure spending time with Boyden. He was a true gentleman and a quiet but commanding presence. He was generous with his time, thoughtful with his insights and suggestions, and quick to credit others while being modest about his own accomplishments." 

Background: Boyden had a distinguished career in public service as White House Counsel under President George H.W. Bush and later as U.S. ambassador to the European Union under President George W. Bush. In the former role, he was instrumental in promoting the careers of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. Gray also played a prominent role in defending Justice Thomas against scurrilous charges during his contentious confirmation hearing.  

Boyden was also a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the Federalist Society, founder of the C. Boyden Gray Center for the Study of the Administrative State at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School, and founder of the law firm C. Boyden Gray & Associates.