[CIVIL RIGHTS]. MEREDITH, James H. (b. 1933). Signed copy of typed document providing a summary of events related to the James Meredith case in Oxford, Mississippi.

7pp, 8 1/2 x 11 in., on watermarked linen paper, some black streaks from copy/print process.

Provenance: Acquired by a civil rights collector in the 1990s (consignor note).

First page of document is a "Summary of Events on Meredith case in Oxford, Mississippi" with various times and events listed including "10:00 p.m. / President made a TV speech to the Nation." Copied handwritten notes and doodles include "OK" to lower left margin. Meredith's ink signature appears in bottom margin.

Remainder of document comprises a draft of an address given by John F. Kennedy on 30 September 1962 regarding the need for federal intervention to enforce the Supreme Court ruling in Meredith v. Fair amid racially motivated violence at the University of Mississippi. Copied handwritten edits include a line indicating 3 paragraphs of text should be taken "out."

James Meredith (b. 1933) applied for admission to the Univeristy of Mississippi in January of 1961 after returning from service in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1960. The University had only admitted white students up until that point, and Meredith sought to be the first African American student to enroll, testing his civil rights in a long-established culture of racial segregation. The university sent Meredith a telegram denying him admission, his responses to which went unanswered, prompting Meredith to file a lawsuit against the university, aided by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Though the Supreme Court ruled in Meredith's favor, it would take federal intervention in the form of US marshals and the Mississippi National Guard to put down riots and protect Meredith as he finally registered for courses in the fall of 1962. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in August 1963, and attended Columbia Law School thereafter.

Meredith went on to lead the 1966 "March Against Fear" from Memphis to Jackson, which began on 6 June. On 7 June, Meredith was shot and wounded by a white gunman, forcing him to leave the march temporarily. Upon his return as the march reached Jackson, he spoke at the Mississippi State Capitol. He participated in politics as a member of the Republican Party, twice running for Congress unsuccessfully, but serving as a domestic adviser to US Senator Jesse Helms from 1989-1991.

Property from a 35-Year Collection from the Southern United States

This lot is located in Cincinnati.