Thurgood Marshall

This biography for young readers examines the life of a brilliant lawyer who successfully argued the case that ended legal racial segregation in America.


Thurgood Marshall, the great grandson of a slave, was born at a time when African Americans were denied equal rights in America. Segregation was legal. Lynching was common. In some places, African Americans were entirely excluded from public life; they were forbidden to enter public parks and museums or use public swimming pools and restrooms.


After being denied admission to the University of Maryland Law School because of his race, Marshall enrolled at Howard University. He graduated first in his class and set out as a young lawyer determined to achieve equality for all Americans. Here is the story of how he did it—how he devised his legal strategy for expanding "we the people" to include all people.

Thurgood Marshall explores the life of the brilliant lawyer who successfully argued the case that ended legal racial segregation in America, following his childhood in Baltimore to his trailblazing career as a civil rights lawyer, and finally his years as a United States Supreme Court justice.


This book includes a timeline, excerpts of Marshall's writings, source notes, a bibliography, and an index.

"Provides a well-rounded look not only at the life of Marshall, but at the events in the world that shaped him into the man he was, and how he in turn helped shape the world for future generations." —School Library Connection