William F. Yardley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William F. Yardley
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William Francis Yardley
January 8, 1844 |
| Died | May 20, 1924 (aged 80) |
| Resting place | Odd Fellows Cemetery, Knoxville |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Stone |
William Francis Yardley (born January 8, 1844 – died May 20, 1924) was an important American lawyer and politician. He was also a strong supporter of civil rights. He mostly worked in Knoxville, Tennessee, during the late 1800s.
William Yardley made history as the first African-American person to run for governor in Tennessee. He is also thought to be the first African-American lawyer to argue a case in front of the Tennessee Supreme Court. He started a newspaper called the Examiner to promote equal rights for African Americans. He also worked hard to help workers and people who were struggling, both as a lawyer and as a politician.
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William Yardley's Early Life and Education
William Yardley was born in 1844. His mother was Irish and his father was black. This meant he was born a free person. He was raised by a white family named Yardley, who gave him their last name.
In the 1850s, William went to a school for African-American children. The teacher was Thomas William Humes, a leader at St. John's Episcopal Church. After the Civil War, Yardley became a teacher himself. He taught at a school for African-American children in Ebenezer, which is now part of West Knoxville.
Becoming a Lawyer and Public Servant
While teaching in Ebenezer, William Yardley also studied law. He learned from George Andrews, a judge in Knox County. In 1872, he passed his exams and became a lawyer. That same year, he was elected to Knoxville's Board of Aldermen. This group helped make decisions for the city.
As a lawyer, Yardley mostly helped African-American clients with their legal problems. He also worked for a company called Continental Insurance. From 1876 to 1882, he served as a justice of the peace for Knox County. A justice of the peace is a local official who handles minor legal cases and keeps the peace.
In 1878, Yardley started Knoxville's first newspaper for African Americans, called the Knoxville Examiner. He later started another newspaper, the Bulletin, in 1882. These newspapers helped share important news and ideas within the African-American community.
Running for Governor
In 1876, William Yardley decided to run for governor of Tennessee. He ran as an independent candidate. This meant he was not part of a major political party. He traveled across the state, giving speeches.
Yardley spoke out against segregation, which was the unfair separation of people based on their race. He also wanted to improve laws for workers. He criticized a state law that made poor people pay high train fares. Many newspapers praised his speaking skills. Even though he placed fourth out of five candidates, his campaign was an important step for African Americans in politics.
Fighting for Justice in Court
In 1885, William Yardley made history again. He is believed to be the first African-American lawyer to argue a case before the Tennessee Supreme Court. He challenged a rule that made people in jail work to pay for their legal costs. He lost the case at that time, but the unfair practice was stopped in later years. This showed his dedication to fairness for everyone.
William Yardley passed away on May 20, 1924, in Knoxville, Tennessee. He is remembered as a pioneering lawyer and civil rights advocate.
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William Francis Yardley
