Virginia General Assembly Commemoration of Gregory Hayes Swanson

Gregory Hayes Swanson (1924-1992) was a U.S. lawyer who primarily practiced civil rights and tax law. In 1950, Swanson became the first Black student at the University of Virginia, successfully suing in federal court for admission after being denied entry because of his race.

Swanson was born in Danville, Virginia, on May 1, 1924, the son of Pearl Ann Adams and Benjamin James Swanson. In 1941, he graduated from John M. Langston High School, and four years later, he received an A.B. degree from Howard University, majoring in political science. In 1948, Swanson received an L.L.B. degree from the Howard University School of Law.

Gregory Swanson began practicing law soon after graduating from Howard University. In 1948, he accepted a position with the firm Hill, Martin, and Robinson in Richmond, Virginia, and two years later, he opened a private practice in Martinsville, Virginia.

In November 1949, Swanson applied to the LL.M. degree program at the University of Virginia School of Law. The Law School initially approved his application, but the University's Board of Visitors overruled the School and denied Swanson's admission because he was Black. With the support of Hill, Martin, and Robinson and the Virginia Chapter of the NAACP, Swanson filed a complaint against the University of Virginia in federal court. In 1950, the court ordered the University to admit Swanson, and he enrolled that fall. Swanson faced a harsh climate of racial prejudice at the University of Virginia but endeavored to participate in the University community and push the institution to be more inclusive.

After attending the University of Virginia for one year, Swanson returned to private practice in Martinsville. In 1957, he opened a law practice in Alexandria, Virginia. Then, in 1961, Swanson accepted a position at the Internal Revenue Service, where he remained until his retirement in 1984.

Gregory H. Swanson died in 1992. He was survived by his wife of 37 years, Betty Oliver Swanson, and his two daughters, Karen M. Swanson and Camille C. Swanson.