June 22, 1924: Augusta Native And Georgia’s First Black Lawyer Dies

This day in regional history.

JUNE 22, 1924

Judson Lyons, a courtroom and political pioneer, died this day after a lifetime of achievement.

Born in the Augusta area before the outbreak of the Civil War, Lyons taught himself to read and write and would graduate from Howard Law School. In November 1884, he was admitted to the state bar, becoming Georgia’s first African American lawyer.

He was also a leader in the national Republican Party, serving on its National Committee. President William McKinley named him registrar of the Treasury, making him at the time the highest-ranking black man in the federal government.

Back in Georgia, he founded one of the state’s first civil rights organizations: the Georgia Equal Rights Association.

He also served as president of the board of trustees at Haines Normal and Industrial Institute, a school for black students that would become Lucy C. Laney High School.

 

To read more visit: https://www.augustachronicle.com/news/20200621/june-22-1924-augusta-native-and-georgiarsquos-first-black-lawyer-dies

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