Oscar Adams Jr: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Oscar Adams Jr.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Oscar Adams | [[Image:Oscar Adams Jr.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Oscar Adams Jr]] | ||
'''Oscar William Adams Jr''' (born [[February 7]], [[1925]] in [[Birmingham]] | '''Oscar William Adams Jr''' (born [[February 7]], [[1925]] in [[Birmingham]]; died [[February 15]], [[1997]] in Birmingham) was the first African-American [[Alabama Supreme Court]] justice and the first African American elected to statewide office in Alabama. | ||
[[File:Oscar Adams Jr 1940.png|left|thumb|150px|Oscar Adams Jr in 1940]] | [[File:Oscar Adams Jr 1940.png|left|thumb|150px|Oscar Adams Jr in 1940]] | ||
Adams was a [[1940]] graduate of [[Parker High School]], where he was editor-in-chief of the ''A. H. Parker High School Record'' newspaper. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in philosophy at [[Talladega College]] in [[1944]] and a law degree at Howard University in Washington D. C. in [[1947]]. He was admitted to the Alabama Bar that year and launched his own private practice, specializing in civil rights cases. During [[1963]]'s [[Birmingham Campaign]] Adams was a member of the [[Central Committee 1963|Central Committee]] that met at the [[A. G. Gaston Motel]] to plan demonstrations. | Adams was a [[1940]] graduate of [[Parker High School]], where he was editor-in-chief of the ''A. H. Parker High School Record'' newspaper. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in philosophy at [[Talladega College]] in [[1944]] and a law degree at Howard University in Washington D. C. in [[1947]]. He was admitted to the Alabama Bar that year and launched his own private practice, specializing in civil rights cases. During [[1963]]'s [[Birmingham Campaign]] Adams was a member of the [[Central Committee 1963|Central Committee]] that met at the [[A. G. Gaston Motel]] to plan demonstrations. | ||
Adams became the first African American to join the [[Birmingham Bar Association]] in [[1966]]. In [[1967]] he partnered with white attorney [[Harvey Burg]] to form the state's first integrated legal practice. The firm he later founded with [[James Baker]] and [[U. W. Clemon]] ([[Adams, Baker | Adams became the first African American to join the [[Birmingham Bar Association]] in [[1966]]. In [[1967]] he partnered with white attorney [[Harvey Burg]] to form the state's first integrated legal practice. The firm he later founded with [[James Baker]] and [[U. W. Clemon]] ([[Adams, Baker & Clemon]]) was one of the foremost law firms to litigate Civil Rights cases in the 1960s. | ||
Adams was appointed to the Alabama Supreme Court on [[October 10]], [[1980]] by Governor [[Fob James]]. He won re-election in [[1982]] and [[1988]]. He taught classes in appellate and trial advocacy at [[Samford University]]'s [[Cumberland School of Law]]. He retired from the bench on [[October 31]], [[1993]] in order to spend time writing a memoir. Governor James appointed [[Ralph Cook]] to finish his term. | Adams was appointed to the Alabama Supreme Court on [[October 10]], [[1980]] by Governor [[Fob James]]. He won re-election in [[1982]] and [[1988]]. He taught classes in appellate and trial advocacy at [[Samford University]]'s [[Cumberland School of Law]]. He retired from the bench on [[October 31]], [[1993]] in order to spend time writing a memoir. Governor James appointed [[Ralph Cook]] to finish his term. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* "[http://www.alacourt.gov/Court%20News/October-1993.pdf Justice Adams Announces Retirement; Circuit Judge Ralph Cook is Appointed]" (October 1993) ''Alabama Court News'' | * "[http://www.alacourt.gov/Court%20News/October-1993.pdf Justice Adams Announces Retirement; Circuit Judge Ralph Cook is Appointed]" (October 1993) ''Alabama Court News'' | ||
* Noble, Holcombe B. (February 18, 1997) "[http://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/18/us/oscar-adams-72-a-pioneer-as-alabama-top-court-justice.html Oscar Adams, 72, a Pioneer As Alabama Top Court Justice]" ''New York Times'' | * Noble, Holcombe B. (February 18, 1997) "[http://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/18/us/oscar-adams-72-a-pioneer-as-alabama-top-court-justice.html Oscar Adams, 72, a Pioneer As Alabama Top Court Justice]" ''The New York Times'' | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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[[Category:Talladega College alumni]] | [[Category:Talladega College alumni]] | ||
[[Category:Attorneys]] | [[Category:Attorneys]] | ||
[[Category:Pythian Temple]] | |||
[[Category:Civil rights activists]] | [[Category:Civil rights activists]] | ||
[[Category:Judges]] | [[Category:Judges]] | ||
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[[Category:Alabama Lawyers Hall of Fame]] | [[Category:Alabama Lawyers Hall of Fame]] | ||
[[Category:Birmingham Gallery of Distinguished Citizens]] | [[Category:Birmingham Gallery of Distinguished Citizens]] | ||
[[Category:Memoirists]] | |||
Latest revision as of 08:43, 15 July 2021
Oscar William Adams Jr (born February 7, 1925 in Birmingham; died February 15, 1997 in Birmingham) was the first African-American Alabama Supreme Court justice and the first African American elected to statewide office in Alabama.
Adams was a 1940 graduate of Parker High School, where he was editor-in-chief of the A. H. Parker High School Record newspaper. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in philosophy at Talladega College in 1944 and a law degree at Howard University in Washington D. C. in 1947. He was admitted to the Alabama Bar that year and launched his own private practice, specializing in civil rights cases. During 1963's Birmingham Campaign Adams was a member of the Central Committee that met at the A. G. Gaston Motel to plan demonstrations.
Adams became the first African American to join the Birmingham Bar Association in 1966. In 1967 he partnered with white attorney Harvey Burg to form the state's first integrated legal practice. The firm he later founded with James Baker and U. W. Clemon (Adams, Baker & Clemon) was one of the foremost law firms to litigate Civil Rights cases in the 1960s.
Adams was appointed to the Alabama Supreme Court on October 10, 1980 by Governor Fob James. He won re-election in 1982 and 1988. He taught classes in appellate and trial advocacy at Samford University's Cumberland School of Law. He retired from the bench on October 31, 1993 in order to spend time writing a memoir. Governor James appointed Ralph Cook to finish his term.
Adams married twice. He fathered three children (Gail, Oscar III and Frank) with his first wife, the former Willa Intersoll.
Adams died from an infection related to cancer at Baptist Medical Center-Montclair. He was survived by his children, 10 grandchildren, and his second wife Anne-Marie. Gadsden's Oscar W. Adams Elementary School was named in his honor in 1983. He was inducted into the Alabama Lawyers Hall of Fame in 2005 and to the Birmingham Gallery of Distinguished Citizens in 2008.
References
- "Justice Adams Announces Retirement; Circuit Judge Ralph Cook is Appointed" (October 1993) Alabama Court News
- Noble, Holcombe B. (February 18, 1997) "Oscar Adams, 72, a Pioneer As Alabama Top Court Justice" The New York Times
External links
- Oscar W. Adams, Jr profile at "Alabama Moments in American History". Alabama Department of Archives and History