District Court Opinion in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
8/3/1951
Add to Favorites:
Add all page(s) of this document to activity:
Add only page 1 to activity:
Add only page 2 to activity:
A three-judge panel at the U.S. District Court in Topeka unanimously held that “no willful, intentional or substantial discrimination” existed in Topeka’s schools. Their opinion states: "We are accordingly of the view that the Plessy and Lum cases, supra, have not been overruled and that they still presently are authority for the maintenance of a segregated school system in the lower grades."
The District Court decision was appealed and became part of the groundbreaking Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision.
The District Court decision was appealed and became part of the groundbreaking Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision.
Transcript
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF KANSASOLIVER BROWN, ET AL.,
Plaintiffs,
v.
BOARD OF EDUCATION OF TOPEKA,
SHAWNEE COUNTY, KANSAS, ET AL.,
Defendants
Civil Action
No. T-316
[stamp on the right side of the page]
ENTERED AUG 3 1951
HARRY M. WASHINGTON, Clerk
By Harry Paskard
Deputy
Messers. John Scott, Charles Scott, Robert L. Carter, Jack Greenberg and Charles E. Bledsoe for Plaintiffs;
Messrs. George Brewster and Lester Goodell for Defendants.
Before HUXMAN, United States Circuit Judge, MELLOTT, Chief District Judge, and HILL, District Judge.
HUXMAN, Circuit Judge, delivered the opinion of the Court.
We are accordingly of the view that the Plessy and Lum cases, supra, have not been overruled and that they still presently are authority for the maintenance of a segregated school system in the lower grades.
The prayer for relief will be denied and judgment will be entered for defendants for costs.
-11-
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 2641494
Full Citation: Opinion in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka; 8/3/1951; Oliver Brown et al v. Board of Education of Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas et al; Civil Case Files, 1938 - 1995; Records of District Courts of the United States, Record Group 21; National Archives at Kansas City, Kansas City, MO. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/brown-v-board-district-court, April 19, 2025]Activities that use this document
- A Revolution, a Reaction and a Reform: Getting Ready for National History Day
Created by the National Archives Education Team
Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
