Thurgood Marshall: Champion of Civil Rights

1. Thurgood Marshall

2. Education • * Born in Baltimore, Maryland* Named after his great-grandfather who had been a slave* He went to segregated public schools and then attended Lincoln University * After graduating, he attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. where he graduated at the top of his class with a law degree.

3. Contributions * He had the largest law practice in Baltimore but did not make much money because he defended poor people.* Became the lawyer for the NAACP where he won many civil rights cases (Brown v Board of Education – segregation of public schools ended)* He was the first African-American member of the US Supreme Court where he worked to protect human rights

4. Social Barriers/Restrictions/Obstacles • Thurgood Marshall had to overcome the social barrier of growing up in a segregated environment • Thurgood Marshall overcame the obstacle of being rejected when he applied for law school at the University of Maryland because he was black.

5. Travel • Born in Maryland • Spent most of his life in the southeast and northeast regions • Location and culture had an impact on Thurgood Marshall’s work to improve civil rights • Traveled throughout the United States to represent court cases related to civil rights

6. Character Traits/Timeline • Thurgood Marshall showed diligence and leadership • Thurgood Marshall’s belief in justice and respect for and acceptance of authority affected his fight for civil rights

7. Timeline • 1908 Born in Baltimore • 1921-1925 School (Segregated) • 1930 Graduated from Lincoln University • 1933 Graduated from Howard University • 1934 Started work for NAACP • 1935 Won Murray vs. Pearson with Hamilton • 1954 Won Brown vs. Board of Education • 1967 1st Black Supreme Court Justice • 1993 Dies in Maryland