Franklin Hall Williams (October 22, 1917 – May 20, 1990) was an American lawyer and civil rights activist. As an assistant to Thurgood Marshall, he represented the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People before courts in criminal cases throughout the American South. In 1950, he was appointed director of the NAACP's western region, where he directed drives involving open housing, school desegregation and civil rights.
Quick Facts United States Ambassador to Ghana, President ...
Under President Johnson, Williams became the first black representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Council and later was appointed ambassador to Ghana. During his three-year tenure at this post, he was credited with improving the formerly strained relations between the United States and the African nation.
Leaving government service in 1968 Mr. Williams headed the Columbia University Urban Center, issuing the study "Human Uses of the University – Planning a curriculum for Urban and Ethnic Affairs at Columbia University."
In 1989 he chaired the New York State Judicial Commission on Minorities. The commission has since continued as the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission.[2]
Personal life
Williams was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.[3] Williams was married to Shirley Broyard, a sister of literary critic Anatole Broyard.[4] Williams died on May 20, 1990, at the age of 72.[1]