Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr (1841–1935) was a scholar and jurist of indisputable brilliance, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential judges in the English speaking world.

Holmes' legacy included validation on many of the great issues of his time, particularly protection of freedom of expression and the permissibility of social welfare legislation. Of all of his opinions, nothing defines his life’s work better than his famous approach to the First Amendment.

In the centenary year of his most famous dissent, this lecture will examine a man of complexity and apparent contradictions through the prism of his approach to freedom of speech cases, and seeks to identify what contemporary lawyers can learn from Holmes’ life experience, philosophy and eloquent contributions to the law.