Charles Ogletree, a well-known civil rights scholar, and Harvard Law Professor, passed away recently, and the academic community is now grieving. After a protracted fight with Alzheimer’s, he passed away on Friday, August 4, 2023, at the age of 70. Revolutionary contributions to civil rights and education characterized Charles Ogletree’s career. To know more about the legend, keep reading.
Upbringing And Career
Ogletree was a native Californian who frequently spoke of his modest upbringing. He grew up in a neighborhood of Black and brown families on the south side of the railroad tracks in Merced. He harvested peaches, almonds, and cotton in the summer while his parents worked as seasonal agricultural laborers. Before Harvard, Ogletree attended Stanford University for college. He also worked in the Central Valley’s agricultural fields before becoming a renowned legal scholar at one of the country’s top law schools, where he instructed Barack and Michelle Obama.
When Hill accused Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment during the future Supreme Court justice’s Senate confirmation hearings in 1991, Ogletree was her legal counsel.
He represented the late rapper Tupac Shakur in legal matters, both civil and criminal. He unsuccessfully battled for compensation for Black residents of Tulsa, Oklahoma, who had survived a 1921 white supremacist slaughter.
According to the Harvard website, Ogletree contributed significantly to the literature on race and justice by writing numerous notable volumes on the subject. Life without Parole: America’s New Death Penalty? is the title of his most recent book. The book examined the critical problems with the American legal system’s use of life sentences without the prospect of parole. Together with Amherst College Professor Austin Sarat, he co-wrote it.
Fight With Alzheimer’s
Ogletree revealed that he had Alzheimer’s disease in 2016, a difficult condition that impairs memory and cognition. As a result, In 2020, he left Harvard Law School. Despite the challenges, he persisted in motivating and instructing others until retirement. He was honored for his contributions to law, education, and civil rights in February when the Merced County courthouse, located in the heart of California’s agricultural region, was given his name.
Charles Ogletree Marriage
Both Professor Ogletree and Pamela Barnes are Stanford alums. While pursuing their institute graduation, they became friends. They decided to wed soon after and got hitched in 1975. Charles Ogletree III and Rashida Ogletree, two children, were born into their families shortly. Marquelle, Nia Mae, Jamila Ogletree, and Makayla George were all grandchildren of Charles Ogletree.
Remembering Charles Ogletree
“Charles was a tireless advocate for civil rights, equality, human dignity, and social justice. He changed the world in many ways and will be sorely missed in a world that needs him.” Harvard Law School Dean John F. Manning commented.
The civil rights activist and Harvard Law Professor passed away quietly at his home in Odenton, Maryland, surrounded by his devoted family. May he rest in peace and his family find comfort.
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