Nationality American Name Gregory Swanson Ethnicity African American Died 1992 | Occupation Practicing attorney Home town Danville Years active 1961 – 1984 | |
 | ||
Born 1924 Danville, Virginia Alma mater Bachelor's degrees in Political Science and Law at Howard University
1 year at University of Virginia, dropped out because of "racial hostility and harassment" Known for being the first African-American to attend the University of Virginia. | ||
Employer Internal Revenue Service | ||
Gregory Hayes Swanson, , (born 1924 in Danville, Virginia). Swanson was the first African American to attend the University of Virginia (UVa). He was a practicing attorney from his hometown Danville, Virginia. He was a graduate of Howard University with Bachelor's degrees in political science and law. His desire was to study corporation law and insurance at the University of Virginia, but his first application to the University was rejected in 1949 but won acceptance to the university in 1950. In July 1951, after completing one year at UVa, Swanson withdrew the University "due to what he described as an overwhelming climate of racial hostility and harassment." He then went on to practice law in Martinsville and Alexandria, Virginia. And in 1961, he joined the legal staff of the IRS snf continued there up until his retirement in 1984. He died in 1992.