Lyman T. Johnson facts for kids

Lyman Tefft Johnson (born June 12, 1906 – died October 3, 1997) was an important American educator. He was a leader in ending racial segregation in Kentucky. He is most famous for winning a lawsuit that allowed African-American students to attend the University of Kentucky in 1949.

Early Life and Education

Lyman Johnson was born in Columbia, Tennessee, in 1906. He was the eighth of nine children. His grandparents had been enslaved. His father was educated by people like Edmund Kelly and Lyman Beecher Tefft, who Johnson was named after. His father was a school principal.

In 1926, Johnson finished high school at Knoxville College. He then earned his first college degree in Greek from Virginia Union University in 1930. After that, he received a master's degree in history from the University of Michigan in 1931. Johnson was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

Military Service in World War II

Johnson served in the United States Navy during World War II. He helped educate other sailors. Many black sailors came from places like Mississippi and Alabama. They had not been to school much.

Johnson and others decided to teach these sailors. They ran a school for those who couldn't read or write well. They helped thousands of sailors learn basic skills in just seven weeks. Johnson felt this was his most important contribution during the war.

Career and Desegregation Fight

Johnson taught history, economics, and mathematics for 16 years. He worked at Central High School in Louisville, Kentucky. He wanted to study more at the University of Kentucky. However, a state law called the Day Law stopped black and white students from attending the same schools.

In 1948, Johnson filed a lawsuit against the University of Kentucky. He challenged the Day Law. His legal challenge was successful. This meant he could enter the University of Kentucky in 1949. He was 43 years old at the time.

Even though he left the university before finishing another degree, he received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree in 1979. This was a special award for his achievements.

Johnson continued teaching at Central High School until 1966. Then, he worked for the Jefferson County Public Schools. He was an assistant principal at two junior high schools. After retiring from public schools, he worked in a similar role at a Catholic high school for three years.

From 1978 to 1982, he was also a member of the Jefferson County Board of Education. Johnson was a powerful speaker. He often spoke up for students who faced challenges.

Besides opening doors for many minority students, Johnson also fought to integrate neighborhoods, swimming pools, schools, and restaurants. He led the Louisville chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for six years. Johnson died in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1997 when he was 91 years old.

Legacy and Honors

Lyman Johnson left a lasting impact. The University of Kentucky Graduate School has a special fellowship program in his honor. This program helps students who add to the university's diversity. There is also a postdoctoral fellowship program named after him.

In 2015, the University of Kentucky renamed a dormitory to Lyman T. Johnson Hall. This was done to honor him. The African American alumni group within the University of Kentucky Alumni Association is also named the Lyman T. Johnson African American Alumni.

Lyman T. Johnson Middle School in Louisville was named after him in 1980. Wade Hall, a professor, wrote a book about Johnson's life.