James A. Washington Jr. facts for kids

James Aaron Washington Jr. (born around 1915 – died August 29, 1998) was an important American judge and law professor. He served as a judge in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia from 1971 to 1984. Before that, he was a professor and even the dean of the law school at Howard University. He was an expert in civil rights law and played a key role in a major Supreme Court case called Bolling vs. Sharpe. This case made racial segregation illegal in public schools in Washington, D.C.

Early Life and Education

James Aaron Washington Jr. was born in Asheville, North Carolina. He went to Howard University, where he earned his first degree in 1936. He then got his law degree from Howard in 1939. To continue his studies, he went to Harvard University and received a Master of Laws degree in 1941.

Serving His Country

During World War II, Mr. Washington worked for the U.S. Department of Justice in the War Division. This was an important job helping with legal matters during the war.

A Career in Law and Teaching

After the war, in 1946, James Washington returned to Howard University to become a law professor. He was a highly respected teacher. In 1966, he was given the special title of John Mercer Langston Professor of Law. Just a few years later, in 1969, he became the dean of the law school. This meant he was in charge of the entire law school.

Becoming a Judge

In 1971, President Richard Nixon chose James Washington to be a judge on the Superior Court. This was a big honor. In 1976, he had a serious accident where he broke his neck. Even though he was badly hurt, he returned to work in 1977, using a wheelchair. He continued to serve as a judge until he retired in 1984.

Fighting for Civil Rights

James Washington had a lot of experience with civil rights laws. These are laws that protect the rights of all people, no matter their race or background. In the 1940s and 1950s, he worked with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The NAACP is a famous organization that fights for equal rights for African Americans.

Overturning Segregation Laws

At that time, there was a law from 1896 called Plessy v. Ferguson. This law said that public places could be "separate but equal" for different races, which meant segregation was legal. James Washington and the NAACP worked hard to overturn this unfair law. He helped prepare legal arguments and advised the NAACP teams. They practiced their cases and got ready for court.

This important work led to a landmark Supreme Court decision in 1954 called Brown vs. Board of Education. The Supreme Court decided that segregated schools were not equal and were against the law. This was a huge victory for civil rights in America.

Family and Later Life

James Washington was married to Ada Collins Washington for 51 years. She passed away in 1987. They had a large family with four daughters and four sons. James Aaron Washington Jr. died at his home in Silver Spring, Maryland, on August 29, 1998. He is remembered for his important contributions to law and civil rights.