"Arthur Davis Shores (September 25,1904-December16,1996)

Was born in Birmingham,Alabama.He completed his primary and secondary education in that same city.In 1927 he earned a bachelor's degree in education from Talladega College in Alabama and then a law from LaSalle Extension University in 1935.When he began his practice in 1935,and for nearly two decades afterwards,Arthur was the only licensed black attorney in Alabama.Despite Klan terrorist attacks and judges who referred to him by his first name,Arthur remained steadfast in his determination to practice law in his home state.In the area of civil rights,he challenged school segregation and voter registration discrimination.In 1955 Arthur served as co-legal counsel for Autherine Lucy's discrimination lawsuit against the University of Alabama for refusing her admittance because she was African American.In 1956 a federal judge found in her favor,allowing Lucy to become the first black student admitted at the University of Alabama.Three, days later after she entered the university,they expelled Lucy,saying her presence encouraged civil disorder.Arthur also assisted in trying the 1963 discrimination lawsuit that ended Alabama Governor George Wallace's efforts to bar Vivian Malone,James Hood,and other African Americans from attending the University of Alabama.He was also active in the 1963 Birmingham civil rights campaign.Working with attorneys from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund,he challenged Alabama officials who attempted to block their work on behalf of demonstrators.When Birmingham subsequently arrested thousands of marchers,including Dr.Martin Luther King,Jr.,Arthur and his NAACP colleagues convinced the Supreme Court to declare those arrests unconstitutional.He also won the federal court case that desegregated Birmingham public schools.White supremacists retaliated with acts of terrorism against Arthur. On several occasions they bombed his home and others in his middle class black neighborhood,prompting local residents to call the besieged community"Dynamite Hill."Became local law officials refused to bring the perpetrators to justice,Arthur guarded his house with a shotgun.In 1969 Arthur became the first black elected to the Birmingham City Council and he remained in that seat until 1978.In 1975,he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Alabama.Arthur died in Birmingham.He is survived by his his wife of 58 years,Theodora;two daughters,Helen Shores,Lees & Barbara Shores Martin.