Isaac Lawrence Purcell facts for kids
Isaac Lawrence Purcell (born July 17, 1857) was a famous lawyer in the United States. He was allowed to argue cases before the highest court in the country, the United States Supreme Court. He worked in Jacksonville, Florida.
His Early Life and Education
Isaac Lawrence Purcell was born on July 17, 1857, in Winnsboro, South Carolina. His father, John W. Purcell, worked as a carpenter.
Isaac started studying at the University of South Carolina. At that time, the university had recently allowed students of all races to attend. However, this changed, and the university became segregated again, meaning Black students were no longer allowed. Because of this, Isaac had to leave. He then continued to study law on his own in Palatka, Florida.
Purcell was also very involved in politics. He was a member of the Republican Party and often attended their meetings and events.
Fighting for Equal Rights
Isaac Lawrence Purcell became well-known for his work fighting against unfair laws. He teamed up with another lawyer, J. Douglas Wetmore. Together, they challenged a law in Florida that kept Black and white people separate on streetcars. This was part of a system called Jim Crow laws, which enforced segregation across the Southern United States.
Purcell and Wetmore argued that this law, known as the Avery Law, was against the U.S. Constitution. They won their case! The court agreed that the Avery Law was unfair and made it invalid. This was a very important victory against segregation during the Jim Crow era. It was one of the few times a court ruled against these types of laws.
Purcell also represented a group called the Union Aid Association of America. He worked hard to help people and fight for justice throughout his career.
