Donald Gaines Murray: Desegregated Maryland’s Law School in 1936

Donald Gaines Murray is recognized by the Federal Bar Association Maryland Chapter as Black History Month concludes, honoring his pioneering role in the desegregation of higher education. As the first Black student admitted to the University of Maryland School of Law, Murray’s courage and legal fight reshaped the trajectory of civil rights in the United States. His landmark case, Murray v. Pearson, not only opened doors for Black students in Maryland but laid the foundation for the broader dismantling of educational segregation.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Murray faced systemic barriers common to the Jim Crow era, yet he refused to accept exclusion from academic and professional advancement. With support from civil rights icons like Thurgood Marshall and Charles Hamilton Houston, Murray challenged the racial status quo in court—and won. His story exemplifies the power of legal advocacy in confronting inequality and transforming institutions from within.

As we commemorate Black History Month, the FBA Maryland Chapter proudly honors Donald Gaines Murray for his enduring impact on civil rights law and legal education in Maryland and beyond.

Early Life, Academic Excellence, and Legal Aspirations

Donald Gaines Murray was born in Baltimore, Maryland, during an era of entrenched segregation. He graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1929, a key academic institution for Black youth at the time. With strong academic promise, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College in 1934. After completing his undergraduate education, Murray applied to the University of Maryland School of Law with aspirations to become an attorney in his home state.

Despite meeting all academic qualifications, Murray was denied admission solely based on race. When he appealed to the University’s Board of Regents, his request was summarily rejected. This denial was reflective of Maryland’s segregationist policies that barred African Americans from attending white public universities, even while failing to provide comparable educational alternatives.

Murray’s personal determination and sense of justice would not allow him to accept this discriminatory outcome. With assistance from the NAACP and its legal team, his case would become a pivotal challenge to the “separate but equal” doctrine that had dominated U.S. education law since Plessy v. Ferguson. His fight for legal access was not only personal but symbolic, representing a larger battle for civil rights and equal opportunity.

The Landmark Case: Murray v. Pearson

In 1935, Donald Gaines Murray became the central figure in a groundbreaking legal case when the NAACP, led by Thurgood Marshall and Charles Hamilton Houston, filed a lawsuit on his behalf. The case, Murray v. Pearson, argued that Maryland’s refusal to admit Murray to its only public law school violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. At the time, Maryland had no separate law school for Black students, effectively denying them any access to in-state legal education.

Marshall’s courtroom arguments were strategic and visionary. He contended that "separate but equal" could not be applied where no alternative existed, and that exclusion based on race was inherently unjust. The case advanced to the Maryland Court of Appeals, which ruled in favor of Murray on January 15, 1936. The court affirmed that the university must admit Murray, stating that Maryland could not deny a qualified student access to legal education solely on racial grounds.

This ruling predated and helped shape the legal framework later used in Brown v. Board of Education (1954). Murray v. Pearson was one of the earliest successful legal challenges to segregated education in the U.S., making it a cornerstone case in the history of civil rights jurisprudence.

Law School Graduation and Continued Civil Rights Advocacy

Following his legal victory, Donald Gaines Murray enrolled at the University of Maryland School of Law in 1936. He was supported financially by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, which helped cover his tuition and textbooks. He graduated in 1940, becoming one of the first Black attorneys trained in a previously segregated public institution in Maryland.

After earning his degree, Murray returned to Baltimore, where he practiced law and continued advocating for racial justice. He championed greater access to education, employment, and the legal system for African Americans and worked to dismantle structural discrimination across institutions. His influence was felt not only in courtrooms but also in community organizing and public service initiatives that uplifted marginalized populations.

While Murray never sought the spotlight, his legacy has remained firmly rooted in Maryland’s legal history. His case marked a turning point in the national conversation around educational equality and constitutional rights. He proved that legal action could dismantle discriminatory systems, one institution at a time.

Honoring Donald Gaines Murray During Black History Month

Donald Gaines Murray’s courage and determination in challenging racial exclusion redefined what was possible for Black students in the legal profession. His landmark case was a legal, moral, and historical victory that expanded educational access and laid critical groundwork for future civil rights achievements.

As the first African American admitted to the University of Maryland School of Law, Murray was not only a symbol of progress but a catalyst for systemic change. His success, achieved through relentless advocacy and the strategic brilliance of the NAACP legal team, continues to inspire generations of lawyers and civil rights leaders.

The Federal Bar Association Maryland Chapter is honored to celebrate Donald Gaines Murray during Black History Month. To learn more about civil rights pioneers and upcoming events that honor their legacies, visit the Federal Bar Association Maryland Chapter events page.