Bryant, William B.

1911-2005 · Contribution: 1977

First African American chief judge of a U.S. District Court

Law & Civil Rights — collage image
Law & Civil Rights

Portraits are AI-generated interpretations, not photographs.

Impact on the world

Became the first African American to serve as chief judge of a United States District Court in 1977, leading the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Life & background

Admitted to the bar in 1939, Bryant became the first African American chief judge of a U.S. District Court in 1977, leading the federal trial court for the District of Columbia.

Sources

  1. Historical Society of the D.C. Circuit (oral history); Washington Post obituary (Nov 15, 2005)