Interview with Lyman T. Johnson, August 9, 1978

Interview Summary

The first African American to enter the University of Kentucky Graduate School, Mr. Johnson graduated from Virginia Union College in 1930, and later from the University of Michigan where he obtained his master of arts degree. He taught at Louisville Central High School from 1933 to 1966. He recounts his attempts to integrate the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville and talks about Dr. Herman Donovan, president of UK at the time of Johnson's constitutional challenge. Mr. Johnson recalls the treatment he received while on the UK campus, and particularly the positions of Dr. Maurice Saay (Dean and Registrar) and Dr. Thomas Clark, who was the chairman of the history department. Mr. Johnson discusses his membership in a small group of radical African American teachers in Louisville which helped transform the Louisville NAACP and Urban League.

Interview Keyword

African Americans African Americans in Lexington Dr. Thomas D. Clark University of Wisconsin Wages. Occupations. Dr. Maurice Seay Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky Race relations Dr. Herman Donovan Tennessee Education Professions. Work. Louisville (Ky.) African American families African Americans--Employment. Discrimination in employment.

Interview LC Subject

African American families African Americans--Civil rights--Kentucky African Americans--Education--Kentucky--Lexington African Americans--Kentucky--Lexington--Economic conditions African Americans--Race identity. African Americans--Religion African Americans. Johnson, Lyman T., 1906-1997 Johnson, Lyman T., 1906-1997--Interviews Teachers Teaching University of Kentucky African American leadership African American teachers. African Americans--Civil rights African Americans--Education. African Americans--Segregation African Americans--Social conditions. Civil rights movements--United States Discrimination in education. Integration Protest movements. Race discrimination. Race relations--Kentucky Racism School integration--Kentucky Segregation in education.

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.