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Wiley Branton
Wiley Branton

 Wiley Branton (1923 – 1988) was an African American attorney, freedom rider, and civil rights activist. Branton was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. After serving in the army in World War II, Branton spent time teaching blacks how to mark their election ballots after the war. This resulted in Branton being convicted of a misdemeanor for “teaching the mechanics of voting”. In 1952, Branton received a Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He was the 3rd black student to graduate from the school. Branton went on to serve as the chief counsel for the black plaintiffs in the 1957 Little Rock desegregation case. Continue reading “Wiley Branton: African American Attorney, Freedom Rider, and Civil Rights Activist” →