Charles Langford
Encyclopedia
Charles Douglas Langford (December 9, 1922 – February 11, 2007) was an Alabama state senator who represented Rosa Parks in the famous civil rights case of the 1960s. Attorney Langford served in the Alabama Legislature as a State Representative, District 77, Montgomery County, from 1976 to 1983, and as a State Senator, District 26, Montgomery County, from 1983 to 2002. He was the sixth child of Nathan G. and Lucy Brown Langford. Mr. Langford was one of two black lawyers in Montgomery at this time. He was born into a Christian family and was baptized as an infant at St. John’s AME Church.
, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business in 1948. He was a partner in the law firm of Gray, Langford, Sapp, McGowan, Gray and Nathanson.
subsequent to her arrest on December 1, 1955 for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery bus. In 1993, representing a group of black legislators, Mr. Langford helped end the flying of a Confederate battle flag from the dome of the State Capitol in Montgomery. In 1964 he represented Arlam Carr in a lawsuit against Montgomery’s Board of Education that led to the desegregation of the city’s public schools.
, and opened his law office on Monroe Street in Montgomery. Langford stayed in Montgomery and continued to represent local African-Americans in civil rights cases. He served five terms in the Senate before retiring in 2002. Survivors include a sister, Mattie Lee Langford. Mr Langford died on February 11, 2007 at his home in Montgomery. He was 84. Mr. Langford died in his sleep, his niece Audrey Anderson told The Associated Press. Mr. Langfords funeral was held on Friday, February 16, 2007 at St. John's African Methodist Episcopal Church. Attorney Langford’s legal career spanned more than fifty years.
Early Education
Mr. Charles Langford completed two years at Tuskegee Institute before being drafted in the US Army during World War II, where he served overseas as a truck driver in the European Theater Operation. Mr. Langford had an honorable discharge from the Army in 1946. Mr. Langford earned his law degree from The Catholic University. He continued his education at Tennessee State UniversityTennessee State University
Tennessee State University is a land-grant university located in Nashville, Tennessee. TSU is the only state-funded historically black university in Tennessee.-History:...
, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business in 1948. He was a partner in the law firm of Gray, Langford, Sapp, McGowan, Gray and Nathanson.
Cases Involved In
Mr. Langford was also a lawyer who represented civil rights activist Rosa ParksRosa Parks
Rosa Louise McCauley Parks was an African-American civil rights activist, whom the U.S. Congress called "the first lady of civil rights", and "the mother of the freedom movement"....
subsequent to her arrest on December 1, 1955 for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery bus. In 1993, representing a group of black legislators, Mr. Langford helped end the flying of a Confederate battle flag from the dome of the State Capitol in Montgomery. In 1964 he represented Arlam Carr in a lawsuit against Montgomery’s Board of Education that led to the desegregation of the city’s public schools.
Organization Affiliations
- St. John's A.M.E. Church (Trustee Board)
- Alpha Phi AlphaAlpha Phi AlphaAlpha Phi Alpha is the first Inter-Collegiate Black Greek Letter fraternity. It was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Its founders are known as the "Seven Jewels". Alpha Phi Alpha developed a model that was used by the many Black Greek Letter Organizations ...
fraternity (charter member of Alpha Upsilon Lambda chapter) - Southern Pride Elks Lodge No. 431 (Past Exalter Ruler)
- Montgomery Improvement AssociationMontgomery Improvement AssociationThe Montgomery Improvement Association was formed on December 5, 1955 by black ministers and community leaders in Montgomery, Alabama. Under the leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr...
- Friends of the ASU Theater
- Partners in Education
- Houston Hill Neighborhood Association
- Alabama Democratic Conference
- Alabama Lawyers Association (founding member)
- Tennessee State University Montgomery Area Alumni Chapter (charter member)
- OIC (Board Member)
- Goodwill IndustriesGoodwill IndustriesGoodwill Industries International is a not-for-profit organization that provides job training, employment placement services and other community-based programs for people who have a disability, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges...
(Board Member) - Alabama Trail Lawyers Association
- Veterans of Foreign WarsVeterans of Foreign WarsThe Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a congressionally chartered war veterans organization in the United States. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, VFW currently has 1.5 million members belonging to 7,644 posts, and is the largest American organization of combat...
, Post No. 10366
Later on in life
In 1953, he was admitted to the Alabama State BarAlabama State Bar
The Alabama State Bar is the integrated bar association of the U.S. state of Alabama.The Alabama State Bar was established in 1923 and is part of the 1975 Alabama Code, §§ 34-3-1 to 34-3-89....
, and opened his law office on Monroe Street in Montgomery. Langford stayed in Montgomery and continued to represent local African-Americans in civil rights cases. He served five terms in the Senate before retiring in 2002. Survivors include a sister, Mattie Lee Langford. Mr Langford died on February 11, 2007 at his home in Montgomery. He was 84. Mr. Langford died in his sleep, his niece Audrey Anderson told The Associated Press. Mr. Langfords funeral was held on Friday, February 16, 2007 at St. John's African Methodist Episcopal Church. Attorney Langford’s legal career spanned more than fifty years.