Edward Richard Dudley
(March 11, 1911 – February 8, 2005)
Edward Richard Dudley was born on March 11, 1911, in South Boston, Virginia, to Edward Richard and Nellie Dudley. He embarked on an impressive journey that included the following milestones and achievements:
- Graduated with a bachelor of science degree from Johnson C. Smith College in 1932, where he also became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
- Taught at a school in Gainsboro, Virginia, following his graduation.
- Pursued dentistry studies at Howard University on a scholarship for a year.
- Relocated to New York City, where he worked various odd jobs, including serving as a stage manager for Orson Welles in a public works theater project.
- Enrolled at St. John’s University School of Law in 1938, earning his LL.B. in 1941.
- Briefly practiced law and ventured into Democratic politics in Harlem.
- Served as an assistant New York State Attorney General in 1942.
- He married Rae Oley in 1942, and they had a son named Edward R. Dudley III.
- Joined the N.A.A.C.P. legal team in 1943 as an assistant special counsel, where he worked on cases related to desegregating Southern colleges, advocating for equal pay for black teachers, and combating discrimination in public transportation.
- From 1945 to 1947, he served as executive assistant to the governor of the Virgin Islands.
- Appointed by President Harry S. Truman as minister to Liberia in 1948 and later as ambassador in 1949.
- Returned to the United States in 1953, resuming his law practice and taking on the role of directing the N.A.A.C.P.’s Freedom Fund.
- In 1955, he was appointed as justice of the Domestic Relations Court by New York City’s mayor, Robert F. Wagner, Jr.
- Held the position of borough president of Manhattan from 1961 to 1964.
- Ran as the Democratic and Liberal candidate for attorney general in the New York state election of 1962, though he was defeated by the Republican incumbent, Louis Lefkowitz.
- Served as a delegate to the 1964 Democratic National Convention.
- Elected as a justice of the New York State Supreme Court for the First Judicial District (Manhattan and the Bronx) in November 1964, a role he held from 1965 until his retirement in 1985.
Edward Richard Dudley passed away on February 8, 2005, at the age of 93 due to prostate cancer. He is survived by his widow, Rae Oley Dudley, their son Edward R. Dudley III, two brothers (Dr. Calmeze Dudley and Dr. Hubert Dudley), and three grandchildren (Kevin, Kyle, and Alexandra Dudley).
The Dudley family had a summer residence in the SANS community, having acquired their lot during the 1950s expansion into Sag Harbor Hills. As of the present, the cottage remains in the Dudley family.
Edward Richard Dudley’s remarkable life and accomplishments were featured in the 2022 PBS documentary “The American Diplomat,” which explores the lives and legacies of three African-American ambassadors.