But it was more than just intelligence that set Roberts apart, Scherer says.

“He was smarter than everyone else and worked harder. Combine that with his modesty and it made for an amazing package,” he says.

Colleagues of Roberts at the Harvard Law Review contacted by The Crimson all say that he was highly respected by everyone, particularly for being fair and not ideological—although he took a hard line on deadlines.

THIRTY YEARS, BUT MUCH THE SAME

Scherer and Hirsch have kept in touch with Roberts over the last three decades, and both say that, both personally and at the senate judiciary hearings, Roberts is largely the same person that he was at Harvard.

Hirsch says that, in particular, his focus and determination have not faded.

“I remember a few years ago and he said that he’d just gotten two decisions in cases he argued in front of the Supreme Court,” Hirsch recalls. “One he won 9-0 and the other he lost 5-4. I said, ‘if you add them up you won 13-5,’ but he was having none of it and was angry he did not win both.”

Hirsch says that, despite his success, Roberts still “comes across as a friendly and regular guy,” who likes to wisecrack and talk about sports. But Scherer says he has retained a social formality.

“Back in law school, people always said he was a formal guy,” he says. “There is still the formality—he’s a gentleman’s gentleman and traditional. But he’s more politically adept.” Scherer says this latter quality has become apparent in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings this week.

Scherer also predicts that—if he is named to the Supreme Court— Roberts would show his sharp wit more frequently. “It has come out a bit in the hearings,” Scherer says, “but he’s just biding his time and biting his tongue right now.”

—Staff writer Adam M. Guren can be reached at guren@fas.harvard.edu