Frank Minis Johnson

Frank Minis Johnson

Frank Minis Johnson Jr. (October 30, 1918 – July 23, 1999) was a prominent United States federal judge who played a crucial role in the American civil rights movement. His judicial decisions helped dismantle segregation and enforce voting rights, making him a pivotal figure in the struggle for civil rights in the United States.

Early Life and Education

Frank Minis Johnson was born in Haleyville, Alabama. He attended the University of Alabama, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1942. Following his undergraduate education, Johnson served in the United States Army during World War II, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

After the war, Johnson returned to the University of Alabama to attend law school, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in 1946. He was admitted to the bar the same year and began practicing law in Jasper, Alabama.

Judicial Career

In 1955, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed Johnson to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. It was in this role that Johnson made some of his most significant contributions to civil rights.

Landmark Decisions

Johnson's rulings were instrumental in advancing civil rights. Some of his most notable decisions include:

• Browder v. Gayle (1956): Johnson ruled that the segregation of buses in Montgomery, Alabama, was unconstitutional, effectively ending the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

• Gomillion v. Lightfoot (1960): Although the case was ultimately decided by the Supreme Court of the United States, Johnson's initial ruling laid the groundwork for the decision that declared racial gerrymandering unconstitutional.

• United States v. Alabama (1961): Johnson ordered the desegregation of public schools in Alabama, enforcing the Brown v. Board of Education decision.

• Williams v. Wallace (1965): Johnson issued an order that protected the Selma to Montgomery marches, a pivotal event in the civil rights movement.

Later Career and Legacy

In 1979, Johnson was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and later, after the creation of the Eleventh Circuit, he served there until his retirement in 1991.

Johnson's decisions were often met with hostility and threats, yet he remained steadfast in his commitment to justice and equality. His work earned him numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995.

Death and Honors

Frank Minis Johnson passed away on July 23, 1999, in Montgomery, Alabama. His legacy endures through his contributions to civil rights and the American legal system. The Frank M. Johnson Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Montgomery is named in his honor.

See Also

• Civil Rights Movement
• Voting Rights Act of 1965
• Brown v. Board of Education

References

• Bass, Jack. Taming the Storm: The Life and Times of Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr., and the South's Fight over Civil Rights. Doubleday, 1993.
• "Frank Minis Johnson Jr." Encyclopedia of Alabama.