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Thurgood Marshall

Thurgood Marshall was an American lawyer, civil rights advocate, and jurist who became the first Black justice of the U.S.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Thurgood Marshall was an American lawyer, civil rights advocate, and jurist. He became the first Black justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Marshall is best known for arguing Brown v. Board of Education, a landmark case that helped end legal segregation in public schools.

Early life and education

Marshall was born in Baltimore and studied at Lincoln University and Howard University School of Law. He entered law with a focus on civil rights and public-interest litigation.

Civil rights litigation

As an NAACP lawyer and later as the first Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Marshall helped develop legal strategies against segregation and discrimination. His most famous victory was Brown v. Board of Education.

Supreme Court career

President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Marshall as U.S. solicitor general and later to the Supreme Court. He served as an associate justice from 1967 to 1991, becoming the Court’s first Black member.

Legacy

Marshall is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in American civil rights law. His work helped shape constitutional law on equal protection and racial segregation.

Key facts

  • Marshall built his early career as a civil rights lawyer for the NAACP.
  • He argued Brown v. Board of Education before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1954.
  • The Brown decision declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
  • He became the first Black Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967.
  • He retired from the Court in 1991 and died in 1993.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Thurgood Marshall?
He was an American lawyer, civil rights advocate, and U.S. Supreme Court justice, known for his anti-segregation litigation and Supreme Court service.
What is Thurgood Marshall best known for?
He is best known for arguing Brown v. Board of Education, which helped end legal segregation in public schools.
Was Thurgood Marshall the first Black Supreme Court justice?
Yes. He became the first Black Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967.
What did Marshall do before the Supreme Court?
He worked as a civil rights lawyer, served as first Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and later as U.S. solicitor general.
When did Thurgood Marshall retire and die?
He retired from the Supreme Court in 1991 and died on January 24, 1993.

References

  1. NAACP — https://naacp.org/find-resources/history-explained/civil-rights-leaders/thurgood-marshall
    Supports: Civil rights work, Brown v. Board of Education, and first Black U.S. Supreme Court justice.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thurgood-Marshall
    Supports: Birth/death dates, education, Supreme Court tenure, and major biography facts.
  3. Oyez — https://www.oyez.org/justices/thurgood_marshall
    Supports: Supreme Court biography, appointment in 1967, and death in 1993.
  4. NAACP Legal Defense Fund — https://www.naacpldf.org/about-us/history/thurgood-marshall/
    Supports: Founding role at LDF, legal strategy against segregation, and Supreme Court appointment.
  5. Federal Judicial Center — https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/marshall-thurgood
    Supports: Judicial service dates and court roles.