A Biography of Irvin C. Mollison

Mollison
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Mollison
Courtesy of Joe Passe (Flickr CC0)

On Dec. 24, 1898, Irvin Charles Mollison was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Chicago. Three years later, he obtained his doctorate degree from the University of Chicago Law School. Mollison had his own law practice from 1923 to 1945 in Chicago, Illinois.

His Most Significant Recognition

Mollison was recognized for his work on Hansberry v. Lee in 1940. This was a civil case concerning racially restrictive real estate contracts preventing African Americans from being able to buy or rent land in the Washington Park area in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Chicago.

Mollison
Courtesy of Eric Allix Rogers (Flickr CC0)

He successfully argued on behalf of his clients before the Supreme Court. Mollison stated the racially biased contract, deemed valid by courts in a prior lawsuit, should be contested. The Supreme Court agreed and another case, Shelly v. Kraemer (1948), ruled that these types of real estate contracts were not enforceable and were prohibited by the Equal Protection Clause of the State-Action Doctrine.

Carl Augustus Hansberry, the father of famous African-American playwright, Lorraine Hansberry was Mollison’s client. The court case inspired her most well-known play “A Raisin in the Sun.” The script was based on Walter and Ruth Younger and their family. They were living in poverty in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood. After the death of Walter, the family made it a goal to improve their situation with the insurance money.

The Honorable Irvin C. Mollison

President Harry Truman nominated Mollison to serve as a judge for the United States Customs Court. This court is now known as the United States Court of International Trade. The Senate confirmed his nomination on October 26 by unanimous decision. He became the first African American to serve as a federal judge in the U.S. and the first to serve on the Customs Court.

Written by Goddess V. Henderson

Sources:

Wikipedia: Irvin Charles Mollison
Messa & Associates: Irvin Charles Mollison – First African American to serve as Federal Judge in U.S.

Featured Image Courtesy of Joe Passe‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inline Image Courtesy of Eric Allix Rogers‘ Flickr Page – Creative Commons License

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