Charles Langford

Charles Langford
Member of the Alabama Senate from the 26th district
In office November 9, 1983 – November 6, 2002
Preceded by	Don Harrison
Succeeded by	Quinton Ross
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives from the 77th district
In office November 8, 1978 – November 9, 1983
Preceded by	Rufus Lewis
Succeeded by	John Buskey
Personal details
Born	December 9, 1922(1922-12-09) Montgomery, Alabama
Died	February 11, 2007(2007-02-11) (aged 84) Montgomery, Alabama
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Tennessee State University
Profession	Attorney
Religion	Christian

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.^[1] 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.

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 University, 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 Parks 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.^[1] 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.^[2]

Organization Affiliations

• St. John's A.M.E. Church (Trustee Board)
• Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity (charter member of Alpha Upsilon Lambda chapter)
• Southern Pride Elks Lodge No. 431 (Past Exalter Ruler)
• Montgomery Improvement Association
• 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 Industries (Board Member)
• Alabama Trail Lawyers Association
• Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post No. 10366

Later on in life

In 1953, he was admitted to the Alabama State Bar, and opened his law office on Monroe Street in Montgomery.^[2] 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.^[3] 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.^[1] Mr. Langfords funeral was held on Friday, February 16, 2007 at St. John's African Methodist Episcopal Church.^[1] Attorney Langford’s legal career spanned more than fifty years.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} "Charles Langford, 84, Lawyer Who Represented Rosa Parks, Dies - New York Times". Nytimes.com. February 20, 2007. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/20/obituaries/20langford.html?scp=1&sq=charles%20langford&st=cse. Retrieved September 22, 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Charles Langford, 84; Rosa Parks' lawyer and Alabama politician - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. February 14, 2007. http://articles.latimes.com/2007/feb/14/local/me-passings14.3. Retrieved September 22, 2011. 
3. ^ "Alabama Senator Charles Langford; Rosa Parks's Lawyer". Washingtonpost.com. February 13, 2007. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/12/AR2007021201555.html. Retrieved September 22, 2011. 

Persondata
Name	Langford, Charles
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	December 9, 1922
Place of birth	Montgomery, Alabama
Date of death	February 11, 2007
Place of death	Montgomery, Alabama