Dr. James H. Meredith (born June 25, 1933) is an American civil rights movement figure. He was the first African-American student at the University of Mississippi, an event that was a flashpoint in the American civil rights movement.
Meredith was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi of Native American (Choctaw) and African American heritage. He enlisted in the United States Air Force right out of high school and served from 1951 to 1960. He then attended Jackson State College for two years. He applied to the University of Mississippi, but was denied twice.
On October 1, 1962, he became the first black student at the University of Mississippi, after being barred from entering on September 20. His enrollment, virulently opposed by segregationist Governor Ross Barnett, sparked riots on the Oxford campus, which required federal troops and U.S. Marshals, who were sent by President John F. Kennedy. The riots led to a violent clash which left two people dead, including French journalist Paul Guihard, 48 soldiers injured and 30 U.S. Marshals with gun wounds. Barnett was fined $10,000 and sentenced to jail for contempt but he never paid the fine or served time. This was because the charges dismissed by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Meredith's brave actions are regarded as a pivotal moment in the history of civil rights in the United States. He graduated on August 18, 1963 with a degree in history.
James Meredith (born April 4 1988 in Albury, New South Wales, Australia) is an Australian footballer, currently playing for Shrewsbury Town.
He started at Derby County, and played consistently for Derby's youth team. He had loan spells at Cambridge United and Chesterfield. However, he couldn't break into the first team at Derby, and was released in the summer of 2007. Meredith then joined Irish Premier League side Sligo Rovers for the start of the 2007-08 season.
On January 12 2008 he signed for Shrewsbury Town on a one-and-a-half year contract. He made his debut on February 23 2008 in the 2-1 home defeat to Hereford United.
