Martin A. Martin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Martin A. Martin
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Swearing in of Martin A. Martin as the first African-American member of the Department of Justice's Trial Bureau
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| Born | July 24, 1910 Pittsylvania County, Virginia, United States
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| Died | April 27, 1963 Richmond, Virginia, US
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| Occupation | Civil rights attorney |
Martin Armstrong Martin (born July 24, 1910 – died April 27, 1963) was an American lawyer. He was a very important person in the civil rights movement. Martin became the first African American trial attorney in the United States Department of Justice in 1943. He worked hard to fight for fair treatment for everyone. He was also known for helping people like Odell Waller and the Martinsville Seven. Martin worked with other famous lawyers, Oliver Hill and Spottswood Robinson. Together, their law firm helped the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) fight for civil rights in Virginia.
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Early Life and Education
Martin was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, on July 24, 1910. His parents were Romey Orlando Martin and Hattie Inge. He had several older brothers and sisters, including Maceo Conrad Martin, who became a Tuskegee Airman pilot. Martin also had a twin brother named Andrew.
He went to Ohio State University and then studied law at Howard University Law School. There, he met Oliver Hill and Spottswood Robinson. These friends would later become his law partners.
Martin was married twice. He married Maria Estelle Wright in 1942, but they divorced in 1947. He was survived by his second wife, Ruth Martin.
Martin's Legal Career
After finishing law school in 1938, Martin started his own law practice in Danville, Virginia. He helped many people in his community. He also represented the Danville Savings Bank, which was the oldest bank owned by Black people in Virginia. Martin also helped Black teachers get fair pay in lawsuits. He became the head of the local NAACP office.
Fighting for Justice: Odell Waller
In 1941, Martin became involved in a big case. It was about a Black farmer named Odell Waller, who was found guilty of killing a white landlord. Martin found out that the juries in Waller's case only had white men who paid a special tax called a poll tax. This meant Black people and others who couldn't pay the tax were not on the jury. Martin believed this was unfair.
Working for the U.S. Department of Justice
On May 31, 1943, Martin made history. He became the first African American attorney in the Criminal Trial Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. This was a very important step for civil rights. However, he left the job after less than a year. He didn't enjoy working on cases that involved people from other countries.
The Law Firm of Hill, Martin, and Robinson
After Oliver Hill finished his military service, he joined Martin and Spottswood Robinson III. They formed a law firm in Richmond called Hill, Martin, and Robinson. Martin was the expert in criminal cases for the firm.
The Martinsville Seven Case
In 1949, Martin tried to help a group of men known as the Martinsville Seven. They were accused of a crime and sentenced to death. Martin and other lawyers worked hard to appeal their case. They tried to get the Virginia Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court to review the convictions. Despite their efforts, the courts upheld the original decisions. The men were executed in 1951. This case highlighted the serious challenges Black lawyers faced in the justice system.
Fighting for School Equality
In the 1950s, Martin's law firm also worked on many civil rights cases about schools. They fought to end segregation, which was the unfair separation of Black and white students. Martin was the main lawyer in the 1958 case Warden v. Richmond School Board. This case helped lead to two African American students being admitted to Chandler Elementary School in 1960. This was a big step against "Massive Resistance," which was Virginia's way of fighting against school desegregation.
Later Life and Legacy
Martin passed away from a heart attack on April 27, 1963, at his home in Richmond. He was 52 years old. His death came just months after a U.S. Supreme Court decision that helped protect NAACP attorneys from harassment.
After Martin's death, his law firm continued its important work. It became known as Hill, Tucker, and Marsh. Martin's arguments about unfair sentencing continued to influence later legal discussions about justice.
The building where Martin's law offices were located in Richmond is no longer there. It was replaced by a marker to remember his work. In 1992, Martin was honored for his contributions. He was inducted into the Virginia Civil Rights Hall of Fame. This recognized him as an "Unsung Hero" alongside his partner Oliver Hill and other important civil rights leaders like Thurgood Marshall. Martin's dedication helped pave the way for a more equal society.
