Judge John R. Hargrove interview

Description

Judge John R. Hargrove (1923-1997) was an associate judge for the Supreme Bench of Baltimore City. He also held various other judicial positions, including serving as an associate judge in the United States attorney’s office. Judge Hargrove dedicated himself to numerous cases supporting the NAACP and the civil rights movement in Baltimore. In this oral history interview, Judge Hargrove delves into his work on some of these cases, his legal background, and the experiences of being a Black law student and lawyer. He discusses his association with the NAACP, primarily through Lillie May Carroll Jackson (1889-1975), the President of the NAACP at the time, and her daughter Juanita Jackson Mitchell (1913-1992), another influential civil rights leader. Judge Hargrove reflects on his memories of Lillie Jackson, her leadership style, and the impact she made. Finally, he shares his opinions on Governor Theodore McKeldin (1900-1974), a prominent political figure during the early civil rights movement.