In Memoriam
Crispus Attucks Wright
Crispus Attucks Wright '36, the son of a former slave who became an influential Beverly Hills civil rights lawyer, businessman and major benefactor of the USC Law School, died Dec. 4, 2001 in Los Angeles. He was 87.
In 1997, the retired attorney donated $2 million to fund the Crispus Attucks Wright Scholarships for minority law students and others dedicated to practice in underserved minority communities. At the time, it was the largest gift to USC by an African American.
Wright earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at USC and then his law degree at USC in 1938. After serving in the army, he established his law practice on Central Avenue. Excluded from the existing bar associations because of his race, in 1943 Wright co-founded the John M. Langston Bar Association for African Americans, which continues to flourish. He was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 1990.
“He was a gentle and learned man who made vital contributions to the African-American community and to this city for more than six decades,” said USC president Steven B. Sample. “He will be greatly missed.”
Wright is survived by one grandson, Warner Richard Wright IV, and one sister, Miriam Lee.
Crispus Attucks Wright
Crispus Attucks Wright '36, the son of a former slave who became an influential Beverly Hills civil rights lawyer, businessman and major benefactor of the USC Law School, died Dec. 4, 2001 in Los Angeles. He was 87.
In 1997, the retired attorney donated $2 million to fund the Crispus Attucks Wright Scholarships for minority law students and others dedicated to practice in underserved minority communities. At the time, it was the largest gift to USC by an African American.Wright earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at USC and then his law degree at USC in 1938. After serving in the army, he established his law practice on Central Avenue. Excluded from the existing bar associations because of his race, in 1943 Wright co-founded the John M. Langston Bar Association for African Americans, which continues to flourish. He was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 1990. “He was a gentle and learned man who made vital contributions to the African-American community and to this city for more than six decades,” said USC president Steven B. Sample. “He will be greatly missed.”Wright is survived by one grandson, Warner Richard Wright IV, and one sister, Miriam Lee.
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In Memoriam
Crispus Attucks Wright '38
Raymond Arbuthnot ’33
George Scharffenberger
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