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John Morton-Finney

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John Morton-Finney, (June 25, 1889 – January 28, 1998) was a civil rights activist, lawyer and educator.

Early life and career

Finney was born in Kentucky in 1889. He served in World War I as a Buffalo Soldier[1] (an elite group of black soldiers). He earned his law degree in 1911 and practiced law until 1997 at the age of 106, a period of nearly 85 years. Finney was believed to be the longest practicing attorney in the United States, taking the record from Rush Limbaugh I (1891-1996) who practiced law for 75 years.

Finney was so highly regarded that he was given a dinner held in his honor by President George H. W. Bush. Finney studied throughout his lifetime, completing his final degree course at the age of 75. In all he obtained 11 degrees, including five in law and others in mathematics, history and sociology.

He died in 1998 at the age of 108.

References

  1. ^ "Buffalo Soldiers Research Museum". Retrieved 19 February 2017.