U.S. District Judge Matthew Perry is dead at 89

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U.S. District Judge Matthew Perry is dead at 89

By Qcity Staff – August 1, 2011

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U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Perry, one of the first black lawyers from the Deep South appointed to the federal bench, was found dead in his Columbia home Sunday. He would have turned 90 this week.

Perry, who went to work as usual on Friday at the courthouse that now bears his name, apparently died of natural causes Friday evening, The State newspaper reported. His body was discovered by a family member who came by each Sunday to prepare a meal for Perry and his wife, Hallie, Richland County coroner Gary Watts said.

Hallie Perry is in poor health, Watts said.

In a statement issued Sunday, Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin called Perry "a shining example of unflinching courage and leadership."

"Simply put,” Benjamin said, “he was a giant and this world will be a lesser place without him."

Born in Columbia, Perry received his undergraduate and law degrees from South Carolina State College. He served in the United States Army during World War II but was unable to order food in Southern restaurants while home on leave, even as Italian prisoners of war were being served.

After earning his law degree, Perry became noted for his civil rights work, often litigating discrimination cases or defending black protestors who had been arrested on trespassing charges.

In 1976, President Gerald Ford appointed Perry to the United States Military Court of Appeals (now the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces) in Washington, D.C. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter nominated him to a new seat on the United States District Court in South Carolina. He was confirmed by the Senate later that year.