James Campbell Matthews (November 6, 1844 - November 1, 1930) was a lawyer and judge of Albany, New York. He is famous as a graduate of the first African American law school in New York. He was elected a city judge in the late 1890s, which was the highest court of justice achieved by an African-American until then.
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James C. Matthews was born in New Haven, Connecticut on November 6, 1844. His father was a barber, and his family moved to Albany when James Matthews was a child. His parents died in 1861, and Matthews was raised by Lydia Mott and Phebe Jones, two of Albany's anti-slavery activists who later worked to support racial integration.
Although the schools in Albany were separated, Matthews successfully attended a public school attended by white students. He then won a scholarship to The Albany Academy, and managed to win acceptance despite the school's reluctance to accept black students. Matthews was a stellar student, and graduated in 1864.
Matthews originally worked as a clerk at Albany's Congress Hotel, and was later hired as a bookkeeper. After deciding a legal career, Matthews began studying at Albany Law School. He graduated in 1870, was treated in a bar, and practiced in Albany.
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Careers
Most African Americans in the 1800s who were able to vote and participate in the political process joined the Republican Party, which was considered beneficial for having abolished slavery during the American Civil War. Matthews was initially active as a Republican, but later became famous for his decision to join the Democratic Party of Albany.
In 1885 President Grover Cleveland nominated Matthews to serve as a Recorder of Deeds for the District of Columbia, a position formerly held by Frederick Douglass. He held a position based on the recess appointment, but the US Senate, later controlled by Republicans, refused to confirm it, claiming that he had tried to force other African-Americans in Albany to change their loyalty to the Democrats in local elections..
Matthews won the election for the Albany Court Judge Judge in 1895. By the time he was in office, Matthews held the highest court position of any African-American person up to that time. He served until 1899, when the Republicans in Albany won the city election and regained control of the city government.
Next life
After leaving the bench, Matthews continued his legal practice, and remained active until he retired in the early 1920s.
Death and burial
Matthews died in Albany on November 1, 1930. He was buried in Albany Rural Cemetery, Section 28, Lot 95.
Family
In 1875 Matthews married Adella Duplessis of New York City. They are the parents of a son, Charles D. Matthews.
Legacy
Albany Law's Law School included a professor who was awarded, the Famous Professor of Jurisprudence from James Campbell Matthews.
In 2013 Albany Law School inaugurated James Campbell Matthews Lecture Series.
References
External links
- James Campbell Matthews at Discover the Mausoleum
- Adella Duplessis Matthews at Discover the Mausoleum
- "James C. Matthews - NYS Afro-American First Judge... And from Albany!". Facebook.com . Friends from Albany History. February 16, 2016.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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