Jesse McCrary
Item
-
Title
-
Jesse McCrary
-
Alternative Title
-
Attorney Jesse James McCary, Jr.
-
Birth Date
-
September 16, 1937
-
Transition Date
-
October 29, 2007
-
Category
-
Law
-
Affiliation to FAMU
-
FAMU College of Law
-
Life at FAMU
-
He attended Florida A&M University from 1956 to 1960, where he studied political science, organized civil rights sit-ins, participated on the debate team, and served as an ROTC cadet. After serving in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Corps, he earned his Juris Doctor from the FAMU College of Law in 1965.
-
Life Bio
-
Distinguished attorney, civil rights activist, and public servant.
Born in Blitchton, Florida, the son of a Baptist preacher. He attended Howard Academy in Ocala. He was the quarterback of the schools championship football team.
In 1967, McCrary became Florida’s first Black assistant attorney general. Three years later, he became the first Black attorney to represent a Southern state before the United States Supreme Court. He also served as the Dade County School Board’s first Black attorney and as a Florida Industrial Commission judge.
In 1978, McCrary was appointed Florida secretary of state, becoming the first Black member of the Florida Cabinet since Reconstruction. Throughout his career, he remained active in law, government, and community service. In recognition of his contributions, McCrary was inducted into the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame.
-
Artifact Dimensions
-
L x W: 15.38 x 12.38in (39.05 x 31.43cm)
-
Rights
-
All rights reserved. The use of any part of these objects and photographs transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, or stored in a retrieval system without the prior written consent of Meek-Eaton Black Archives is an infringement of the copyright law.
-
Rights Holder
-
Meek - Eaton Southeastern Regional Black Archives Research Center and Museum
