Oscar Adams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oscar Adams
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| Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court | |
| In office October 10, 1980 – October 31, 1993 |
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| Appointed by | Fob James |
| Preceded by | James N. Bloodworth |
| Succeeded by | Ralph Cook |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Oscar William Adams, Jr.
February 7, 1925 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | February 15, 1997 (aged 72) Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
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| Education |
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| Known for | First African-American justice of Alabama Supreme Court |
Oscar William Adams, Jr. (born February 7, 1925 – died February 15, 1997) was a very important person in Alabama's history. He was the first African American to become a justice on the Alabama Supreme Court. He was also the first African American to be elected to a statewide office in Alabama. This was a huge step forward for civil rights in the state.
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Early Life and Education
Oscar Adams, Jr. was born in Birmingham, Alabama. His father, Oscar William Adams Sr., was the editor of a newspaper called the Birmingham Reporter. His mother was Ella Virginia Eaton.
Oscar Adams, Jr. finished high school at A. H. Parker High School in 1940. He then went to Talladega College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1944. After that, he studied law at Howard University in Washington, D.C. and earned his law degree in 1947.
A Career Fighting for Civil Rights
After becoming a lawyer in 1947, Oscar Adams, Jr. opened his own law practice. He focused on civil rights cases, which are legal cases that aim to protect the rights of all people, especially those who have been treated unfairly because of their race. He often worked with Fred Shuttlesworth's Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights in Birmingham.
During the important Birmingham campaign in 1963, Oscar Adams, Jr. was part of a special committee. This group met at the A. G. Gaston Motel to plan peaceful protests and demonstrations.
In 1966, he made history again by becoming the first African American to join the Birmingham Bar Association, which is a group for lawyers in Birmingham. The next year, in 1967, he teamed up with a white lawyer named Harvey Burg. Together, they formed the first law firm in Alabama that had both Black and white partners. Later, he started another famous law firm called Adams, Baker and Clemon with James Baker and U. W. Clemon. This firm was well-known for handling many important Civil Rights cases in the 1960s and 1970s.
Serving as a Judge
On October 10, 1980, Governor Fob James appointed Oscar Adams, Jr. to the Alabama Supreme Court. This made him the first African American justice on the state's highest court. He was re-elected to this position in 1982 and again in 1988, showing that people trusted his work.
While serving as a justice, he also taught law classes. He taught about how to argue cases in appeals courts and trial courts at Samford University's Cumberland School of Law. He decided to retire from the court on October 31, 1993. He wanted to spend his time writing a book about his life. After he retired, Governor Folsom appointed Ralph Cook to take his place on the court.
Family and Legacy
Oscar Adams, Jr. married Willa Ingersoll in 1949. They had three children: Gail, Oscar III, and Frank. Willa passed away in 1982. Oscar Adams, Jr. later remarried Anne-Marie Bradford.
He passed away on February 15, 1997, at the age of 72. He was remembered by his children, ten grandchildren, and his second wife.
Oscar Adams, Jr. left a lasting impact. In 1983, an elementary school in Gadsden, Alabama was named Oscar W. Adams Elementary School in his honor. He was also recognized for his contributions by being inducted into the Alabama Lawyers Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Birmingham Gallery of Distinguished Citizens in 2008.
His great-grandfather was F. H. Threatt, who held various public offices in North Carolina.
See also
