Harold A. Stevens
Encyclopedia
Harold Arnoldus Stevens (Johns Island
, South Carolina
, October 19, 1907–November 9, 1990) was an African American
lawyer and former judge who served on the New York Court of General Sessions and New York Court of Appeals
.
with his mother and maternal grandparents, the Reverend and Mrs. C.H. Johnson. Later his mother remarried. Harold attended Claflin College High School and earned a Bachelor's Degree
from Benedict College
in 1930. He headed to Boston, after he was rejected from the then-segregated University of South Carolina Law School. In 1936 he was the first black American to get an LL.B. degree in labor law from Boston College
.
In the 1940s he was a counsel to the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters
and the Provisional Committee to Organize Colored Locomotive Firemen. He was a veteran of World War II
. Harold Stevens has received numerous awards and honorary degrees of national and international dimension. He became one of this nation's most outstanding jurists. From 1947 to 1950 he was a member of the New York Assembly.
to the New York Supreme Court
to fill a vacancy. In November 1955, he was elected to a fourteen-year term. He sat on the Appellate Division (1st Dept.)
from 1958 on, and was Presiding Justice from 1969 on.
In January 1974, Governor Malcolm Wilson appointed him to the New York Court of Appeals
to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Charles D. Breitel
as Chief Judge
. This gave him the highest rank of any black American in a state judicial system; he was the first African American to hold a seat on the Court of Appeals. In 1974, he ran on the Republican, Conservative
and Liberal
tickets for a full term, but was defeated by Democrat Jacob D. Fuchsberg
. In 1975, he resumed his post as Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division (1st Dept.), and retired from the bench in 1977.
, New York University
Law Center Foundation, the Council for Religious and International Affairs, and the National Center for State Courts. He served as a Special Council of Religious and International Affairs, and the National Center for State Courts
. He served as a Special Counsel to President Roosevelt's Commission on Fair Employment Practices.
Johns Island, South Carolina
Johns Island, also spelled John's Island, is the largest island in the U.S. State of South Carolina. It is one of the many Sea Islands along the coast of South Carolina.-Background:...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, October 19, 1907–November 9, 1990) was an African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
lawyer and former judge who served on the New York Court of General Sessions and New York Court of Appeals
New York Court of Appeals
The New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in the U.S. state of New York. The Court of Appeals consists of seven judges: the Chief Judge and six associate judges who are appointed by the Governor to 14-year terms...
.
Early life and education
He was born to William F. and Lilla L. Johnson Stevens. His father died when he was three years old and Harold left Johns Island, and moved to Columbia, South CarolinaColumbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
with his mother and maternal grandparents, the Reverend and Mrs. C.H. Johnson. Later his mother remarried. Harold attended Claflin College High School and earned a Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
from Benedict College
Benedict College
Benedict College is a historically black, liberal arts college located in Columbia, South Carolina. Founded in 1870 by northern Baptists, it was originally a teachers' college. It has since expanded into a four-year college.-History:...
in 1930. He headed to Boston, after he was rejected from the then-segregated University of South Carolina Law School. In 1936 he was the first black American to get an LL.B. degree in labor law from Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
.
In the 1940s he was a counsel to the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters
Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters
The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters was, in 1925, the first labor organization led by blacks to receive a charter in the American Federation of Labor . It merged in 1978 with the Brotherhood of Railway and Airline Clerks , now known as the Transportation Communications International Union.The...
and the Provisional Committee to Organize Colored Locomotive Firemen. He was a veteran of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Harold Stevens has received numerous awards and honorary degrees of national and international dimension. He became one of this nation's most outstanding jurists. From 1947 to 1950 he was a member of the New York Assembly.
Service as a judge
In 1950, he was elected to the New York Court of General Sessions. In 1955, he was appointed by Governor W. Averell HarrimanW. Averell Harriman
William Averell Harriman was an American Democratic Party politician, businessman, and diplomat. He was the son of railroad baron E. H. Harriman. He served as Secretary of Commerce under President Harry S. Truman and later as the 48th Governor of New York...
to the New York Supreme Court
New York Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in thestate court system of New York, United States. There is a supreme court in each of New York State's 62 counties, although some smaller counties share judges with neighboring counties...
to fill a vacancy. In November 1955, he was elected to a fourteen-year term. He sat on the Appellate Division (1st Dept.)
New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
The Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division is the intermediate appellate court in New York State. The Appellate Division is composed of four departments .*The First Department covers the Bronx The Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division is the intermediate...
from 1958 on, and was Presiding Justice from 1969 on.
In January 1974, Governor Malcolm Wilson appointed him to the New York Court of Appeals
New York Court of Appeals
The New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in the U.S. state of New York. The Court of Appeals consists of seven judges: the Chief Judge and six associate judges who are appointed by the Governor to 14-year terms...
to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Charles D. Breitel
Charles D. Breitel
Charles David Breitel was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 1974 to 1978.-Life:...
as Chief Judge
Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals
Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals refers to the position of chief judge on the New York Court of Appeals.The chief judge supervises the seven-judge Court of Appeals...
. This gave him the highest rank of any black American in a state judicial system; he was the first African American to hold a seat on the Court of Appeals. In 1974, he ran on the Republican, Conservative
Conservative Party of New York
The Conservative Party of New York State is an American political party active in the state of New York. It is not part of any nationwide party, nor is it affiliated with the American Conservative Party, which it predates by over 40 years....
and Liberal
Liberal Party of New York
The Liberal Party of New York is a minor American political party that has been active only in the state of New York. Its platform supports a standard set of social liberal policies: it supports right to abortion, increased spending on education, and universal health care.As of 2007, the Liberal...
tickets for a full term, but was defeated by Democrat Jacob D. Fuchsberg
Jacob D. Fuchsberg
Jacob David Fuchsberg was an American lawyer and politician...
. In 1975, he resumed his post as Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division (1st Dept.), and retired from the bench in 1977.
Other services
Judge Stevens served as a trustee or board member for many organizations, including St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York Medical CollegeNew York Medical College
New York Medical College, aka New York Med or NYMC, is a private graduate health sciences university based in Westchester County, New York, a suburb of New York City and a part of the New York Metropolitan Area...
, New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
Law Center Foundation, the Council for Religious and International Affairs, and the National Center for State Courts. He served as a Special Council of Religious and International Affairs, and the National Center for State Courts
National Center for State Courts
The National Center for State Courts is a non-profit organization charged with improving judicial administration in the United States and around the world...
. He served as a Special Counsel to President Roosevelt's Commission on Fair Employment Practices.
Sources
- The History of the New York Court of Appeals, 1932-2003 by Bernard S. MeyerBernard S. MeyerBernard Stern Meyer was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:...
, Burton C. Agata & Seth H. Agata (pages 29f) - http://www.courts.state.ny.us/history/elecbook/thereshallbe/pg104.htm Court of Appeals judges
- Judge Harold Stevens, 83, Dies; First Black on Court of Appeals in NYT on November 11, 1990