Gainsboro in Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Edward Richard Dudley III (1911-2005)

Photographed by Stephen Escalera

1. Edward Richard Dudley III (1911-2005) Marker

Inscription. Edward R. Dudley III was born in South Boston, VA, and was raised in the family’s home three blocks west of here. After high school in Roanoke, he graduated from Johnson C. Smith University in NC and earned a law degree in 1941 in NY. Working with Thurgood Marshall on the NAACP’s legal team, he challenged racial discrimination in education, voting, and transportation. Pres. Harry Truman appointed Dudley minister to Liberia in 1948 and ambassador in 1949, making him the U.S.’s first Black ambassador. Dudley worked to secure equal treatment for Black foreign service officers. After returning to NY, he became borough president of Manhattan in 1961 and served on the state’s Supreme Court (1965-1985).

Erected 2024 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-182.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights.

Location. 37° 16.582′ N, 79° 56.507′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Gainsboro. It is at the intersection of Gilmer Avenue Northeast and Gainsboro Rd NW, on the left when traveling east on

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Gilmer Avenue Northeast. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 113 Gilmer Ave NE, Roanoke VA 24016, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mountain Region

and in Southwest 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: Claytor Memorial Clinic (within shouting distance of this marker); Gainsboro Branch Library (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gainsboro Branch of the Roanoke City Public Library (about 300 feet away); Hunton Life Saving And First Aid Crew (about 400 feet away); Henry Street Business District (about 500 feet away); Oscar Micheaux (about 700 feet away); The Influence of Churches in Gainsboro

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(about 700 feet away); A Once-Vibrant African American Community (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roanoke.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2026, by Stephen Escalera of Roanoke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on April 13, 2026, by Stephen Escalera of Roanoke, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.