Robert N. C. Nix Jr. facts for kids

Robert Nelson Cornelius Nix Jr. (born July 13, 1928 – died August 23, 2003) was a very important judge in Pennsylvania. He became the chief judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1984 and served until 1996.

Justice Nix made history as the first African-American Chief Justice of any state's highest court. He was also the first African American to be elected to a statewide position in Pennsylvania. He served as a justice on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for 24 years. For 12 of those years, he was the Chief Justice. He was a key figure in Pennsylvania law for over 30 years.

Early Life and Education

Robert N. C. Nix Jr. was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 1928. His father was Robert N. C. Nix Sr., who was the first African American to represent Pennsylvania in the United States Congress. His family had a strong history of public service.

His grandfather, Nelson Cornelius Nix, was born into slavery. Despite this, he became a minister and an academic dean at South Carolina State University.

Robert Nix Jr. was a smart student. He graduated from Central High School in 1946. In 1950, he graduated at the top of his class from Villanova University. He then earned his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He also studied Business Administration and Economics at Temple University.

Legal Career Highlights

After finishing law school, Nix served in the United States Army for two years. In 1956, he became a Deputy Attorney General. After two years, he joined his father's law firm, Nix, Rhodes and Nix. There, he became known for fighting for civil rights.

During the 1960s, he helped a group called United Neighbors. This group worked to improve a struggling area in West Philadelphia. He also advised the mayor on civil rights in 1963. He spoke out about unfair hiring practices in city government. He also pushed for action against landlords who neglected their properties.

Becoming a Judge

In 1967, Robert Nix Jr. was elected as a judge for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. This was a local court. In 1971, Governor Milton Shapp appointed him to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He was then elected to this high court the following year.

His election was a big moment. He was the first African American elected to a statewide office in Pennsylvania's history. He became Chief Justice in 1984, taking over from Samuel J. Roberts. From 1991 to 1992, he led the National Conference of Chief Justices.

Impact on Law

As a justice on the Supreme Court, Nix was known for protecting individual rights. He believed the Pennsylvania Constitution offered more rights than the U.S. Constitution. He helped the court make decisions that gave people more protections. This was especially true for things like search and seizure rules.

He also spoke out against prosecutors who tried to keep African Americans off juries. Even though he was generally seen as a liberal judge, he sometimes took different views. For example, in 1977, he was the only judge to support Pennsylvania's death penalty law at the time.

During his time on the Supreme Court, Justice Nix received many honors. He was given 12 honorary doctorates. He also served on the board of trustees for many universities. Pope John Paul II even honored him as a Commander Knight in the Order of St. Gregory the Great.

Retirement and Legacy

In 1996, Justice Nix announced he would retire from the court. He retired two years before he was required to. He said he wanted to "walk away and smell the daisies." He planned to travel and write more.

On August 23, 2003, Robert N. C. Nix Jr. passed away in Philadelphia. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's. His official biography was published in 2010, sharing his life story and achievements.

See also

• List of African-American jurists