North Downtown in Charlottesville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Swanson v. University of Virginia

Photographed by Shane Oliver, May 20, 2022

1. Swanson v. University of Virginia Marker

Inscription. The University of Virginia, established in 1819 for white men only, rejected the application of Gregory Swanson (1924-1992) to its graduate school of law in 1950 because he was black. Swanson, a lawyer from Danville, filed suit with the support of the NAACP. On 5 Sept. 1950, the U.S. District Court heard the case in this building, later the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library. A panel of three federal judges ruled that the university had violated Swanson’s 14th Amendment rights and must allow him to enroll. In the fall semester of 1950, Swanson became the first black student to attend UVA. Soon afterward other public colleges in Virginia began admitting black students to graduate programs.

Erected 2021 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-39.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is September 5, 1950.

Location. 38° 1.887′ N, 78° 28.816′ W. Marker is in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is in North Downtown. It is at the intersection of 2nd Street NE and East Market Street (Business U.S. 250),

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on the left when traveling south on 2nd Street NE. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 E Market St, Charlottesville VA 22902, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Catholic Church of the Holy Comforter (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Baptist Church (about 400 feet away); Paul Goodloe McIntire (about 500 feet away); Nelson Sanitorium (1895-1902) (about 600 feet away); Jefferson Street Buildings (about 600 feet away); Sales of Enslaved People in Court Square (about 600 feet

Photographed by Shane Oliver, May 20, 2022

2. Swanson v. University of Virginia Marker

away); Together We Grow (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlottesville.

Other markers no longer nearby. Robert Edward Lee (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Charlottesville (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Greater Downtown (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2022, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,220 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 22, 2022, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.