This collection documents the work of the Honorable John H. Ruffin, Jr. as a civil rights attorney, judge, speaker, lecturer, and civic leader. Judge Ruffin was actively involved in numerous civil rights cases, notably the Acree vs. County Board of Education of Richmond County, Georgia, a lawsuit he filed to desegregate the schools in the county. Notably, Ruffin held the distinction of being the first African-American member of the Augusta Bar Association.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.
Aug 16, 2023

John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection

This collection documents the work of the Honorable John H. Ruffin, Jr. as a civil rights attorney, judge, speaker, lecturer, and civic leader. Judge Ruffin was actively involved in numerous civil rights cases, notably the Acree vs. County Board of Education of Richmond County, Georgia, a lawsuit he filed to desegregate the schools in the county. Notably, Ruffin held the distinction of being the first African-American member of the Augusta Bar Association.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.

Portrait of the Ruffin family. Written on verso: The John H. Ruffin, Jr., Family; Ellison (2), Candace, Jack (12-23-34 to 1-29-10), S. Brinkley, Bryson (7) and Judith; Date of Picture: December 27, 2009
John H. Ruffin, Jr. stands next to his father, John H. Ruffin, Sr., and son, Simeon Brinkley Ruffin, with grandsons, Ellison Ruffin and Bryson Ruffin. Written on verso: John H. Ruffin, Jr.; John H. Ruffin, Sr.; Simeon Brinkley Ruffin, Ellison Myles Ruffin 2 3/4; Bryson Fennell Ruffin 7; December 25, 2009 Waynesboro, GA
Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr. stands next to his portrait. Written on verso: Portrait unveiling of former Chief Judge, the Honorable John H. Ruffin Jr. Courts of Appeals Courtroom Atlanta, Georgia September 11, 2008
Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr. stands next to his portrait. Written on verso: Judge John H. (Jack) Ruffin, Jr. with portrait; A Tribute to the Honorable Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr. with Unveiling of Portrait, State Courts and Superior Court Courtroom Waynesboro, Georgia April 3, 2008
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr. being sworn-in as Chief Judge of Court of Appeals of Georgia by Judge Anthony A. Alaims. Written on verso: Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr. being sworn-in as Chief Judge, Court of Appeals of Georgia by Judge Anthony A. Alaims, U.S. District Court, Southern Districts of Georgia January 5, 2005
Portrait of the Court of Appeals of Georgia with Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr. serving as Chief Judge. Written on verso: Court of Appeals of Georgia.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
Portrait of John H. Ruffin, Jr.. Written on verso: Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr. 2000's
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. with other judges on the Court of Appeals of Georgia. Written on verso: Court of Appeals of Georgia, 1997.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr. with Governor Roy Barnes. Written on verso: Judge John H. (Jack) Ruffin, Jr., Court of Appeals of Georgia Governor Roy Barnes, Governor of Georgia
John H. Ruffin, Jr. with Judge Charles B. Mikell, Governor Roy Barnes, and Judge Anne Elizabeth Barnes. Written on verso: Judge Charles B. Mikell, Court of Appeals of Georgia; Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr., Court of Appeals of Georgia; Governor Roy Barnes, Governor of Georgia, Judge Anne Elizabeth Barnes, Court of Appeals of Georgia
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
John H. Ruffin being sworn in by Governor Zell Miller. Written on verso: Judge John H. (Jack) Ruffin, Jr. being sworn in as Judge of the Courts of Appeals of Georgia by Governor Zell Miller August 24, 1994.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. poses for a picture with his family members and Governor Zell Miller following the swearing-in ceremony. Written on verso: Newly sworn-in Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr. Courts of Appeals of Georgia with Judith Fennell Ruffin, wife, Anna L. Davis Ruffin Gordon, mother, John H. Ruffin, Sr., father, Gov. Zell Miller, and Simeon Brinkley Ruffin, son August 24, 1994
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. with fellow Court of Appeals judges and Governor Zell Miller. Written on verso: Newly sworn-in Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr. Courts of Appeals of Georgia with fellow Courts of Appeals Judges and Gov. Zell Miller
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. with Judge Bettieanne Childers Hart and others. Written on verso: Newly sworn-in Judge Bettieanne Childers Hart, Superior Courts of Georgia, Augusta Judicial Circuit with Gov. Zell Miller and Augusta, Georgia colleagues
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
Swearing-in ceremony for John H. Ruffin, Jr. and others with Governor Zell Miller.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
Portrait of John H. Ruffin, Jr.. Written on verso: John H. Ruffin, Jr. c 1994
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. being sworn in by Georgia Governor Joe Frank Harris. Written on verso: John H. (Jack) Ruffin, Jr. being sworn in as Judge of the Superior Courts of Georgia, Augusta Judicial Circuit by Gov. Joe Frank Harris; Senate Chambers, Atlanta, Georgia July 9, 1986
From left to right, Reverend C.S. Hamilton, Judge William M. Fleming, Jr., Marilyn M. Fleming, John H. Ruffin, Jr., Simeon Brinkley Ruffin, Judith Ruffin, and Governor Joe Frank Harris pose for pictures following the swearing-in ceremony. Written on verso: Newly sworn in Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr., Superior Courts of Georgia, Augusta Judicial Circuit with Rev. C. S. Hamilton, Judge and Mrs. William M. Fleming, Jr., Simeon Brinkley Ruffin, Judith Fennell Ruffin and Gov. Joe Frank Harris; Senate Chamber, Atlanta, Georgia July 9, 1986
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
Judge William M. Fleming, Jr., Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr., Governor Joe Frank Harris, and Judge Franklin H. Pierce pose together for a picture following the swearing-in ceremony. Written on verso: Newly sworn in Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr., Superior Courts of Georgia, Augusta Judicial Circuit with Judge William M. Fleming, Jr.,  Gov. Joe Frank Harris, and Judge Franklin H. Pierce; Senate Chamber, Atlanta, Georgia July 9, 1986
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. poses for a picture with his family members and Governor Joe Frank Harris following the swearing-in ceremony. Written on verso: Newly sworn in Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr., Superior Courts of Georgia, Augusta Judicial Circuit with Mary Ruffin, step-mother, Anna L. Davis Ruffin Gordon, Mother, John H. Ruffin, Sr., father, and Gov. Joe Frank Harris; Senate Chamber, Atlanta, Georgia July 9, 1986
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. poses for a picture with his family members and Governor Joe Frank Harris following the swearing-in ceremony. Written on verso: Newly sworn in Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr., Superior Courts of Georgia, Augusta Judicial Circuit with Mary Ruffin, step-mother, Anna L. Davis Ruffin Gordon, mother, Jerrylyn G. Dent, friend and Gov. Joe Frank Harris; Senate Chamber, Atlanta, Georgia July 9, 1986
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. writes at a desk. Written on verso: Judge John H. (Jack) Ruffin, Jr. Superior Courts of Georgia, Augusta Judicial Circuit.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
Portrait of Attorney John H. Ruffin, Jr.. Written on verso: Atty. John H. "Jack" Ruffin, Jr. 1980's
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
Georgia Governor George Busbee stands with Judith Ruffin, Simeon Brinkley Ruffin, and John H. Ruffin, Jr.. Written on verso: Atty. John H. (Jack) Ruffin, Jr. and Family (Judith, S. Brinkley) Gov. George Busbee July 15, 1980
A photocopy of a photo of John H. Ruffin, Jr. and his family during John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Written on recto: The Augusta News Review Augusta, Ga. June 8, 1972
A photocopy of a newspaper clipping describing John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Written on recto: Augusta Herald, April 26, '72
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
A photocopy of a newspaper clipping showing Ed McIntyre speaking at John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Program for John H. Ruffin Day hosted by the Augusta Black Caucus at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
Program for John H. Ruffin Day hosted by the Augusta Black Caucus at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
Congregants sit in pews in a church.
Congregants sit in pews in a church. Seated in the first row (from right to left) is Judith Ruffin, John H. Ruffin, Sr., and Anna L. Davis Ruffin Gordon.
John H. Ruffin, Jr., Judith Ruffin, John H. Ruffin, Sr., Anna L. Davis Ruffin Gordon, and an unidentified woman stands in the front row at a service.
Congregants stand in rows in a church as a man walks down an aisle. In the first row, John H. Ruffin, Jr. stands with his wife, Judith Ruffin.
A woman pins a corsage to Judith Ruffin while Anna L. Davis Ruffin Gordon looks on.
Two unidentified women chat with Judith Ruffin and Anna L. Davis Ruffin Gordon.
Congregants sit in pews in a church.
A man speaks at a podium during John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church.
A man speaks at a podium during John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Congregants sit in pews in a church while a group performs.
An unidentified man shakes hands with John H. Ruffin, Jr..
An unidentified man shakes hands with John H. Ruffin, Jr..
From left to right, Herman W. Fennell, Eddye Pearle Fennell, John H. Ruffin, Sr., Judith Fennell Ruffin, John H. Ruffin, Jr., and Anna L. Ruffin Gordon stand together for a picture during John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Written on verso: John H. Ruffin Jr, Day. April 25, 1972. Tabernacle Baptist Church, Augusta, Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Herman W. (Eddye Pearle) Fernell, Mr. John H. "Jack" Ruffin, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. John H. "Jack" (Judith) Ruffin, Jr., Mrs. Anna Louise Ruffin Gordon
John H. Ruffin, Jr. stands with Harvey Johnson, Bobby Hill, and another unidentified man during John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Written on verso: John H. Ruffin Jr, Day. April 25, 1972. Tabernacle Baptist Church, Augusta, Georgia. Attorney John H. "Jack" Ruffin, Jr. Mr. Harvey Johnson, The Honorable Bobby Hill, Chatham County GA State Representative.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. laughs and shakes hands with R. A. Dent during John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Written on verso: John H. Ruffin Jr, Day. April 25, 1972. Tabernacle Baptist Church, Augusta, Georgia. Presented by Augusta Black Caucus. Attorney John H. "Jack" Ruffin, Jr. The Honorable R. A. Dent, Richmond County, GA State Representative.
Judith Ruffin and John H. Ruffin, Jr. stand with Josephine Ruffin Lee and another unidentified woman during John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Written on verso: John H. Ruffin Jr, Day. April 25, 1972. Tabernacle Baptist Church, Augusta, Georgia. Mrs. John H. "Jack" and Judith Ruffin Jr. Mrs. Josephine Ruffin Lee.
A man speaks at a podium during John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Written on verso: John H. Ruffin Jr, Day. April 25, 1972. Augusta, Georgia.
A photocopy of a newspaper clipping featuring an interview with John H. Ruffin, Jr. in anticipation of John H Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church.
A photocopy of newspaper article describing the event honoring John H. Ruffin, Jr. at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Written on recto: Augusta Chronicle Augusta, Ga. April 26, 1972; Augusta Herald 4-5-7
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
An award presented to John H. Ruffin, Jr. for "dedicated services to law, civil rights and mankind." Written on verso: The Augusta News-Review 1972 Man of the Year Award presented to Atty John H. Ruffin Jr. by Mr. Mallory Millender, editor-researcher.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
Anna Ruffin Gordon, John H. Ruffin, Jr., and Judith Ruffin pose behind a desk. Written on verso: Anna Louise Davis Ruffin Gordon, John H. (Jack) Ruffin, Jr., Judith Pearlene Fennell Ruffin, Open House Law Offices of John H. Ruffin, Jr. 1101 11th St., Augusta, Georgia Nov. 22, 1971 (Relocation)