Lynchburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Dr. Robert Walter Johnson
(1899-1971)
By Bernard Fisher, May 26, 2014
1. Dr. Robert Walter Johnson Marker
Dr. Robert Walter Johnson. The desegregation of tennis was due in large part to the efforts of Dr. R. Walter “Whirlwind” Johnson. The first African American to earn staff privileges at Lynchburg General Hospital, he also worked to overcome barriers keeping young African Americans out of tennis. As founder of the Junior Development Program of the American Tennis Association, Johnson sponsored African-American players from across the country in tournaments and coached and mentored them on a court here at his home. Among those he trained were Wimbledon Champions Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe. Johnson was posthumously inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009.
The desegregation of tennis was due in large part to the efforts of Dr. R. Walter “Whirlwind” Johnson. The first African American to earn staff privileges at Lynchburg General Hospital, he also worked to overcome barriers keeping young African Americans out of tennis. As founder of the Junior Development Program of the American Tennis Association, Johnson sponsored African-American players from across the country in tournaments and coached and mentored them on a court here at his home. Among those he trained were Wimbledon Champions Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe. Johnson was posthumously inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009.
Erected 2011 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-6-27.)
Location. 37° 24.187′ N, 79° 9.057′ W. Marker is in Lynchburg, Virginia. Marker is on Pierce Street north of 15th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1422 Pierce St, Lynchburg VA 24501, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of Dr. Johnson's Tennis Court (here, next to this marker); Professor Frank Trigg (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Robert Walter Johnson House and Tennis Court
By Bernard Fisher, May 26, 2014
2. Dr. Robert Walter Johnson Marker
Categories. • African Americans • Civil Rights • Science & Medicine • Sports •
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on May 26, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 810 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 26, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.
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