Early Life

From an early age James Morris Lawson, Jr. recognized the evils and injustice of the systemic racism and segregation that have existed in the United States: his mother’s commitment to pacifism and nonviolence shaped his own development in that direction and his father’s work as a minister in the Methodist Church led Lawson to a preaching certificate in 1947 when he was only 19 years old. Throughout his career the Reverend Lawson has never wavered from his early commitment to peace, nonviolence, and social justice. He continues to strive for full and equal access for all citizens to the promises and ideals of American democracy and freedom.

[James M. Lawson, Jr.]
June 1946
James M. Lawson, Jr. PapersVanderbilt University Special Collections

This photograph from 1946 is James Lawson’s high school graduation photograph. He graduated from Washington High School in Massillon, Ohio.

[National Forensic League Tournament Winners]
Photograph, c. 1946- JML top row at far right
James M. Lawson, Jr. Papers
Vanderbilt University Special Collections

James Lawson pictured here top row far right as one of the winners of a National Forensic League Speech Tournament. He won this medal in Oratory and Debate.

[Cleveland Conference Church Delegation]
Photograph, January 1948 – JML top row third from left
James M. Lawson, Jr. Papers
Vanderbilt University Special Collections

[Methodist Church Preacher’s License]
August 5, 1947 
James M. Lawson, Jr. Papers
Vanderbilt University Special Collections

In August of 1947, at the age of 18, James Lawson received his first license to preach in the Methodist Church. He would continue his ministry in the Methodist Church until his retirement in 1999 as Pastor Emeritus at Holman UMC in Los Angeles.