Summary
George Carroll (January 6, 1922 – January 14, 2016) was an American lawyer and civic figure, based in Contra Costa County, California.[1] He served as the first black lawyer as well as the first African American to be elected to city council in Richmond.[2] He later became the first black mayor of any large American city.[1][2]
George Carroll | |
|---|---|
 Judge George D. Carroll | |
| Judge of the Bay Municipal Court | |
| In office 1965–1985 | |
| Appointed by | Pat Brown |
| Mayor of Richmond, California | |
| In office 1964–1965 | |
| Preceded by | Gay Vargas |
| Succeeded by | David Pierce |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 6, 1922 Brooklyn, New York |
| Died | January 14, 2016 (aged 94) Richmond, California |
Early life & education edit
Carroll was born on January 6, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York.[3][1] Later he served in the United States Military during World War II and subsequently attended college and law school by use of the G.I. Bill. He relocated to Contra Costa County, California, in 1954.[1]
Career edit
Carroll Richmond opened his own private practice after relocating to Richmond in 1954, and he became the city's first black attorney.[4][1]
In 1961, Carroll became the first African American elected to the city council, where he served until 1964.[2]
In 1964, Carroll became the first black mayor of Richmond;[2] by doing so, he also was the first African American mayor of any large American city.[1][5] Afterwards, George Carroll became the first black judge in Contra Costa when he was appointed to the Bay Municipal Court by Governor Pat Brown in 1965.[1][2]
Personal life edit
Carroll died in his sleep on January 14, 2016, in Richmond, California, at the age of 94.[6]
The Richmond Courthouse and a park in the Pt. Richmond District are named in his honor.[1][7]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h Richmond courthouse named for retired judge George Carroll, contracostatimes.com, February 24, 2009; accessed January 17, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e Richmond's Black History Corner, city of Richmond, California website; accessdate January 17, 2016.
- ^ "Richmond Courthouse renamed for Judge Carroll". George Miller Website. Archived from the original on July 28, 2014. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
- ^ Katrina Cameron (January 14, 2016). "George Carroll, first black Richmond mayor and Contra Costa County judge, dies at 94". Contra Costa Times. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ "Richmond courthouse named for retired judge George Carroll". East Bay Times. August 15, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ Richmond's first black mayor George Carroll dies at 94 Archived 2016-01-18 at the Wayback Machine, richmondstandard.com; accessed January 17, 2016.
- ^ Parks and park facilities, city of Richmond website, accessdate January 17, 2016.
External links edit
- Black History of Richmond