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William Bootle (1902-2005)

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@ New Georgia Encyclopedia

Hulett, Keith

Description

Encyclopedia article about William Bootle, a U.S. District Court judge from 1954 to 1981, presided over several federal court challenges to racial segregation in Georgia, most notably the lawsuit that forced the integration of the University of Georgia (UGA) in 1961. He also issued a number of court orders that were instrumental in desegregating Georgia's schools, elections, and transportation facilities. Bootle graduated from Reidsville High School before enrolling in Mercer University in Macon. U.S. president Calvin Coolidge appointed Bootle assistant and later full U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. Bootle also taught at and served as interim dean of the Mercer University School of Law. U.S. president Dwight Eisenhower appointed Bootle to fill a vacant judgeship in the Middle District, where he served until he retired in 1981.The Civil Rights Digital Library received support from a National Leadership Grant for Libraries awarded to the University of Georgia by the Institute of Museum and Library Services for the aggregation and enhancement of partner metadata.

Record Contributed By

New Georgia Encyclopedia

Record Harvested From

Digital Library of Georgia