Henry Frye facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Frye
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Frye in 2015
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| Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court | |
| In office September 2, 1999 – January 1, 2001 |
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| Appointed by | Jim Hunt |
| Preceded by | Burley Mitchell |
| Succeeded by | I. Beverly Lake Jr. |
| Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court | |
| In office January 13, 1983 – September 2, 1999 |
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| Appointed by | Jim Hunt |
| Preceded by | John Phillips Carlton |
| Succeeded by | Franklin Freeman |
| Member of the North Carolina Senate from the 19th District |
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| In office January 1, 1981 – January 1, 1983 |
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| Preceded by | James Turner |
| Succeeded by | Elton Edwards |
| Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives | |
| In office January 1, 1969 – January 1, 1981 |
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| Preceded by | Skipper Bowles James G. Exum Elton Edwards Daniel Whitley Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Dorothy Rockwell Burnley |
| Constituency | 26th District (1969–1973) 23rd District (1973–1981) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 1, 1932 Richmond County, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Spouse | Shirley Taylor |
| Alma mater | North Carolina A&T State University University of North Carolina School of Law |
| Occupation | lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Air Force |
| Rank | Captain |
Henry E. Frye (born August 1, 1932) is an important American judge and politician. He made history as the very first African-American chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court.
Early Life and Education
Henry Frye was born on August 1, 1932, in Ellerbe, North Carolina. He was one of 12 children. His parents were tobacco and cotton farmers. He graduated with honors from North Carolina A&T State University.
After college, Frye became a captain in the United States Air Force. He served in both Korea and Japan. When he returned to North Carolina, he wanted to become a lawyer. This decision came after he was unfairly stopped from registering to vote. At that time, some places used unfair "literacy tests" to prevent African Americans from voting.
Frye was the only African American student in his law school class. He said he always felt treated fairly there. He earned his law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law.
Career Highlights
In 1963, Frye became an assistant U.S. Attorney. He was one of the first African Americans to hold this job in the Southern United States. Five years later, in 1968, Frye was elected to the North Carolina General Assembly. He became a state representative. He was the only black legislator in North Carolina at that time. He was also the first one elected in the 20th century.
Frye was sworn into the North Carolina House of Representatives on January 15, 1969. He worked to remove the last parts of "Jim Crow laws" from North Carolina. These laws had created unfair rules and segregation against African Americans. He served in the state House until 1980. Then, he served one term in the state Senate from 1981 to 1982. During this time, he also taught at North Carolina Central University's law school.
In 1983, Governor Jim Hunt chose Frye to be an associate justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court. This made him the first African American to hold this position in North Carolina's history. Frye was asked what he hoped for North Carolina's future. He said he wanted the state to truly "be rather than to seem." He meant he wanted North Carolina to be fair and open in everything, from state jobs to city interactions.
Frye was elected to the court in 1984 and again in 1992. In 1999, Governor Jim Hunt appointed him to the state's highest judicial job: chief justice. He was the first African American to hold this role. He served as chief justice until 2001.
People who worked with Frye noticed his careful and curious way of working. When he started new political and judicial jobs, he would study state laws and court documents very carefully. He was known for asking many thoughtful questions. He also loved poetry and often used poems in his speeches.
In 2001, Frye started working in private law practice. He joined a firm in Greensboro, North Carolina. He specialized in helping people solve problems through discussion (mediation) and settling business disagreements (arbitration). He retired from this firm in 2016.
Awards and Honors
Henry Frye has received many awards for his important work.
- In 2006, he and his wife Shirley received the Justice Award. This was for their great work to improve how justice is handled in America.
- In 2007, Frye received the North Carolina Award for public service. This is a very high honor in North Carolina. He also received the John J. Parker Award, the highest award from the North Carolina Bar Association.
- In 2014, he received the Distinguished Service Medal from the General Alumni Association.
- In 2015, a portrait of him was placed in the North Carolina Supreme Court. Governor Jim Hunt spoke at the ceremony. Frye talked about making positive change. He said change happens when people work together. He hoped everyone would help make their state and country the best it can be.
- In 2016, the North Carolina Bar Association gave him an inaugural Legal Legends of Color Award.
- In 2018, a bridge was named in his honor.
- He has also received honorary doctorates from several universities. These include Shaw University, Livingstone College, Fayetteville State University, and North Carolina A&T State University.
Family Life
Henry Frye is married to Shirley Frye. Shirley is also a civil rights and social justice advocate. She has won awards for her public service. In the 1970s, she helped bring together (integrate) two YWCAs in Greensboro.
One of their children, Henry Frye Jr., also became a lawyer and a judge. Henry Frye is also the granduncle of professional basketball player Channing Frye.
See also
