James Meredith | |
|---|---|
James Meredith in 1962 | |
| Born | James Howard Meredith June 25, 1933 |
| Education | University of Mississippi; Columbia Law School, LL.B. |
| Known for | becoming the first black student at the University of Mississippi |
James Howard Meredith (born June 25, 1933) is an American Civil Rights Movement figure, writer, and political adviser. In 1962, he was an Air Force veteran and the first African-American student admitted to the segregated University of Mississippi. His admission was reversed when the school learned of his race, but the U.S. Federal government intervened to allow Meredith to begin his studies. He graduated with a degree in political science in 1963. In 1966, Meredith was shot while marching to encourage black citizens to vote. He survived the shooting and rejoined the march later.