Member-only story

Thurgood Marshall: Trailblazing Lawyer and Civil Rights Icon

Cameron Reed

·16.8k Followers· Follow

Published in Thurgood Marshall: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)

4 min read · 2 weeks before

169 View Claps

14 Respond

Save

Listen

Thurgood Marshall, The First African American Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)

Thurgood Marshall: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)

by George F. Will

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1496 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	169 pages

Early Life and Education

Thurgood Marshall was born on July 2, 1908, in Baltimore, Maryland. His parents, William and Norma Marshall, were former slaves who instilled in him a strong work ethic and a determination to overcome adversity. Marshall attended public schools in Baltimore and graduated from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.

In 1933, Marshall earned a law degree from Howard University Law School. He graduated first in his class and went on to work for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Fighting for Civil Rights

Marshall quickly established himself as a brilliant lawyer and a fierce advocate for civil rights. He argued more than 40 cases before the Supreme Court, including the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.

In Brown v. Board of Education, Marshall argued successfully that the racial segregation of public schools was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court's ruling in this case was a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement and helped to pave the way for the desegregation of schools throughout the United States.

Supreme Court Justice

In 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Marshall to the Supreme Court. He was the first African American to serve on the nation's highest court.

Marshall served on the Supreme Court for 24 years. During his tenure, he wrote numerous important opinions on issues such as civil rights, criminal justice, and affirmative action. He was a consistent advocate for the rights of the poor, the marginalized, and the voiceless.

Legacy

Thurgood Marshall is considered one of the most important figures in the American Civil Rights Movement. His legal victories and his work on the Supreme Court helped to break down the barriers of segregation and discrimination in the United States.

Marshall's legacy continues to inspire generations of Americans. He is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, it is possible to make a difference in the world.