Clarence B. Jones, King Speech Architect and Lawyer, Dies at 95
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 25
Clarence B. Jones, King Speech Architect and Lawyer, Dies at 95
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 25
Clarence B. Jones, a close adviser and speechwriter to Martin Luther King Jr., died Friday at 95 at an assisted-living facility in Cupertino, California, his son confirmed.
Jones helped plan the 1963 March on Washington and drafted parts of King's "I Have a Dream" speech while also organizing protests, raising money and coordinating legal defenses for the civil rights movement.
His legal work extended to New York Times v. Sullivan, the landmark Supreme Court case that strengthened press-freedom protections by making libel claims by public officials harder to win.
Beyond the King years, Jones became the first Black partner in a Wall Street brokerage, owned media outlets including the New York Amsterdam News, and later investigated the 1971 Attica prison uprising that left 39 dead.
What were the forgotten opening lines of the 'I Have a Dream' speech, penned by Clarence B. Jones?
How did a Juilliard-trained musician become MLK's lawyer and a pioneering Wall Street partner?
As his voting rights legacy faces new threats, what is his most urgent lesson for today's fight for justice?
Clarence B. Jones: The Legal Mind Behind “I Have a Dream” and His Enduring Impact on Civil Rights
Overview
Clarence B. Jones’s lifelong dedication to civil rights and social justice continues to inspire, as shown by his recent recognition with the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden, making him the third Black Catholic to receive this honor. His legacy is further celebrated in the acclaimed documentary short, The Baddest Speechwriter of All, which highlights his pivotal role and strong character in the fight against injustice. These recent honors underscore Jones’s enduring impact, exemplifying his commitment to community, hard work, and service, and reminding us of the timeless importance of unity and nonviolence.