Q: Not long ago, a piece in the AJC mentioned that Newt Gingrich was adopted as a child, through a second marriage by his birth mother, making Gingrich the name of his stepfather. Can you tell us what is the name on his birth certificate?
— Craig Murchland, Decatur
A: Newt Gingrich was born Newton Leroy McPherson on June 17, 1943 in Harrisburg, Pa. His biological parents were Kathleen "Kit" McPherson, who was 16 years old, and Newton Searless McPherson, who was 19. The marriage had already fallen apart when their son, who was called "Little Newtie," according to PBS, was born. Kathleen married U.S. Army officer Robert Gingrich in 1946. Robert, who served in Korea and Vietnam, adopted Newt and moved the family to Europe in 1958 before heading to Fort Benning near Columbus in 1960.
Q: The nine members of the Supreme Court seem to usually issue their opinions based on their political affiliation. I think President Obama appointed Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor. Who appointed the remaining seven members of the Supreme Court?
— Charles Sanders, Marietta
A: President Reagan nominated Antonin Scalia (1986) and Anthony Kennedy (1988); President George H.W. Bush nominated Clarence Thomas (1991); President Clinton nominated Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1993) and Stephen Breyer (1994); and President George W. Bush nominated John Roberts (2005), who is chief justice, and Samuel Alito (2006). President Obama nominated Sotomayor in 2009 and Kagan in 2010.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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