Thurgood Marshall

Date of Birth: July 2, 1908

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: January 24, 1993

Biography

Thurgood Marshall was an influential American jurist and the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. Born on July 2, 1908, in Baltimore, Maryland, Marshall was a pioneering civil rights lawyer who made significant contributions to the progress of racial equality in the United States. He graduated from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and later attended Howard University School of Law, where he graduated first in his class in 1933. Marshall’s legal career began with the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), where he served as chief counsel. He spearheaded several landmark cases, including the historic Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, which led to the desegregation of public schools. His success in this case solidified his reputation as a formidable attorney and advocate for civil rights. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed Marshall to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Later, in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed him as the first African American Solicitor General of the United States. His judicial career reached its pinnacle when President Johnson nominated him to the Supreme Court in 1967. Marshall served on the Supreme Court until his retirement in 1991, where he was known for his strong stance on individual rights and social justice. Thurgood Marshall passed away on January 24, 1993, leaving behind a legacy of profound impact on American jurisprudence and civil rights.

5 Interesting Facts about Thurgood Marshall

1. Thurgood Marshall argued and won 29 out of 32 cases before the Supreme Court as an attorney.

2. He was the great-grandson of a slave who was forcibly brought to the United States from the Congo.

3. Marshall’s original name was Thoroughgood, but he shortened it to Thurgood in second grade because he disliked spelling it.

4. He played a significant role in the founding of the Legal Defense Fund, a critical arm of the NAACP.

5. Despite his significant achievements, he faced numerous threats and obstacles due to his race and his work in civil rights.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Thurgood Marshall

1. “In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.”

2. “Equal means getting the same thing, at the same time, and in the same place.”

3. “What is the quality of your intent?”

4. “A child born to a black mother in a state like Mississippi…has exactly the same rights as a white baby born to the wealthiest person in the United States. It’s not true, but I challenge anyone to say it is not a goal worth working for.”

5. “Sometimes history takes things into its own hands.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Thurgood Marshall’s net worth was never publicly disclosed, as public service positions like his generally do not lead to significant personal wealth. His highest net worth is not a matter of public record.

Children

Thurgood Marshall had two sons with his second wife, Cecilia Suyat Marshall: Thurgood Marshall Jr., who served as a special assistant to President Bill Clinton, and John W. Marshall, who served as Virginia Secretary of Public Safety.