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.
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  3. 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. with Others, July 9, 1986
Date Created
1986-07-09
Description
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
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African Americans--Politics and government, African American women
Collection
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
John H. Ruffin, Jr., circa 1986
Date Created
1981/1991
Description
John H. Ruffin, Jr. writes at a desk. Written on verso: Judge John H. (Jack) Ruffin, Jr. Superior Courts of Georgia, Augusta Judicial Circuit.
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
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
John H. Ruffin, Jr., circa 1985
Date Created
1980/1990
Description
Portrait of Attorney John H. Ruffin, Jr.. Written on verso: Atty. John H. "Jack" Ruffin, Jr. 1980's
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
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
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. and Family with Governor George Busbee, July 15, 1980
Date Created
1980-07-15
Description
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
Subject
African American lawyers, African Americans--Politics and government, African American women
Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
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
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church, June 8, 1972
Date Created
1972-06-08
Description
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
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
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
"Black Lawyer Draws Praise," April 26, 1972
Date Created
1972-04-26
Description
A photocopy of a newspaper clipping describing John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Written on recto: Augusta Herald, April 26, '72
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
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.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
Ed McIntyre Speaks at John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day, April 26, 1972
Date Created
1972-04-26
Description
A photocopy of a newspaper clipping showing Ed McIntyre speaking at John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
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
Program for John H. Ruffin Day, April 25, 1972
Date Created
1972-04-25
Description
Program for John H. Ruffin Day hosted by the Augusta Black Caucus at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia.
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
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
Program for John H. Ruffin Day, April 25, 1972
Date Created
1972-04-25
Description
Program for John H. Ruffin Day hosted by the Augusta Black Caucus at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia.
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
Congregants sit in pews in a church.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church, April 25, 1972
Date Created
1972-04-25
Description
Congregants sit in pews in a church.
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African Americans--Politics and government, African American churches
Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
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. Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church, April 25, 1972
Date Created
1972-04-25
Description
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.
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African Americans--Politics and government, African American churches
Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
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.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church, April 25, 1972
Date Created
1972-04-25
Description
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.
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African American women, African American churches
Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
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.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church, April 25, 1972
Date Created
1972-04-25
Description
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.
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African American women, African American churches
Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
A woman pins a corsage to Judith Ruffin while Anna L. Davis Ruffin Gordon looks on.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
Judith Ruffin and Anna L. Davis Ruffin Gordon at John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day, April 25, 1972
Date Created
1972-04-25
Description
A woman pins a corsage to Judith Ruffin while Anna L. Davis Ruffin Gordon looks on.
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African American women, African American churches
Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
Two unidentified women chat with Judith Ruffin and Anna L. Davis Ruffin Gordon.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
Judith Ruffin and Anna L. Davis Ruffin Gordon at John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day, April 25, 1972
Date Created
1972-04-25
Description
Two unidentified women chat with Judith Ruffin and Anna L. Davis Ruffin Gordon.
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African American women, African American churches
Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
Congregants sit in pews in a church.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church, April 25, 1972
Date Created
1972-04-25
Description
Congregants sit in pews in a church.
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African Americans--Politics and government, African American churches
Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
A man speaks at a podium during John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church, April 25, 1972
Date Created
1972-04-25
Description
A man speaks at a podium during John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African American churches
Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
A man speaks at a podium during John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church, April 25, 1972
Date Created
1972-04-25
Description
A man speaks at a podium during John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African American churches
Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
Congregants sit in pews in a church while a group performs.
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church, April 25, 1972
Date Created
1972-04-25
Description
Congregants sit in pews in a church while a group performs.
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African American churches
Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
An unidentified man shakes hands with John H. Ruffin, Jr..
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Day at Tabernacle Baptist Church, April 25, 1972
Date Created
1972-04-25
Description
An unidentified man shakes hands with John H. Ruffin, Jr..
Subject
African American judges, African American lawyers, African American churches
Collection
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Collection