As
a young man Judge Spottswood W. Robinson, III had two heroes, his father and
paternal grandfather. In fact, he idolized his grandfather because of his fearlessness
and accomplishments. Spottswood W. Robinson, Sr. was born into slavery and systematically
robbed of educational and economic opportunity, and yet he became a successful
businessman.
Spottswood W. Robinson, III
graduated from Virginia Union University with honors in 1937 and entered Howard
Law School. His professors became his new heroes because they helped him to
envision the law as a means of solving the basic problems of American society.
For Robinson, this vision became a challenge that gave his life purpose. According
to Harry T. Edwards, Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals, "Robinson graduated
from Howard Law School with what is still reputed to be the highest scholastic
average in the school's history."
The men who taught and inspired
him were giants. Their names were William Hastie, George E.C. Hayes, Charles
Houston, Bernard S. Jefferson, W. R. Ming, James M. Nabrit, Jr. and Leon A.
Ransom. After graduation, Robinson, his mentors and another group of Howard-trained
Attorneys: Thurgood Marshall, Oliver Hill, Arthur Shores and C. Wolden met at
Howard or in nearby cities to assist each other in prepaiing civil rights cases.
They were a marvelous group of men who unselfishly gave time and knowledge to
the cause of civil rights. At various times, Robinson was an instructor, professor
and later dean of Howard's Law School and also a partner in the law firm of
Hill, Martin and Robinson in Richmond.
This skilled trial lawyer
worked for the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund at various levels and
was part of the team that argued Brown versus Topeka Board of Education before
the U.S. Supreme Court.
President Kennedy appointed
Robinson to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights where he served from 1961-1963.
President Johnson appointed him to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District
of Columbia Circuit where he served with distinction from 1966 until retirement
in 1989.
When asked what lessons he
would pass on to this generation of young Americans, his response was, "Set
your goals carefully and fearlessly and pursue them unswervingly."
