Mr. John Morton-Finney, Civil Rights Activist, Educator, Lawyer, Buffalo Soldier

Goodnight Members and Friends:

This is for all our attorneys-at-law and law enthusiasts!!

Meet John Morton-Finney (1889-1998), who earned 11 degrees in his lifetime, including four law degrees.  Born to a former slave father and a free mother in Kentucky, Morton-Finney joined the U.S. Army at age 22, and became a member of the 24th Infantry Regiment, otherwise known as the Buffalo Soldiers.  He served in the Regiment from 1911-1914 and went to the Philippines, where he rose to the rank of sergeant and applied for an officer’s commission.  Later, he fought for the American Expeditionary Force in France during World War I.

After the war, he earned degrees in Math, French and History.  He taught at several Indianapolis public schools and eventually ended up at the newly-opened Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis, where he later became head of the school’s foreign language department after earning Master's Degrees in Education and French in 1925.  He taught Greek, Latin, German, Spanish, French, Math, and History.

In 1935, Morton-Finney earned the first of four law degrees.  At 75, he earned the last of his several degrees from Butler University.  Even at the age of 100, he was still seen attending law school seminars.  According to the National Bar Association Hall of Fame, he was the oldest practicing attorney.  He passed away at the age of 108.

Read more about the life of this Renaissance man who is considered by some historians to be the "longest serving lawyer of all time"!!

blackpast.org/african-american-history/john-morton-finney-1889-1998/

butler.edu/diversity/morton-finney-leadership-program

goldsboronc.gov/City-of-Goldsboro-Little-Known-Black-History-Fact 

Claudia and Angela

On behalf of the IMC, TTADC