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What was it like for James Meredith to apply to the all-white University of Mississippi? What prejudices and obstacles did he face as an African-American applicant?

timeline

  the documents
quote from Meredith: President John F. Kennedy was inaugurated on January 20, 1961. The next day I sent my first letter to the University of Mississippi.



part 1: the application
Find out what Meredith experienced during his application process by reading his correspondence with Robert Ellis, the Registrar at Ole Miss. You'll understand these letters best by reading them in order.
part 1 documents go to request go to letter go to letter go to telegram
part 2: the court trials
When Meredith was denied admission to Ole Miss, he took his case to court. The testimony from the court trials shows the magnitude of Meredith's determination and struggle. You'll understand these documents best by reading them in order.
part 2 documents go to deposition go to hearing go to opinion



John F. Kennedy Library
kennedy.library@nara.gov
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last updated June 2002