Tom O'Higgins's career, from his call to the Bar in 1938 to his retirement in 1991
1938 - Called to the Bar.
1948 - First elected as a Fine Gael TD for Laois-Offaly.
1954 - Became a senior counsel.
1954 - 1957 Minister for Health of the first coalition Government.
1957 - Established the Voluntary Health Insurance Board.
1966 - Ran for president and was narrowly defeated by Eamon de Valera.
1973 - Defeated in second presidential election campaign by Erskine Childers.
1973 - Appointed to the Supreme Court.
1974 - Appointed Chief Justice.
1984 - Appointed a judge of the European Court.
1991 - Retired from public life after 40 years' service.
