Byrd Rowlett Brown

1930 - 2001

BiographyThe political button was used during Byrd R. Brown’s campaign for his mayoral run in Pittsburgh in 1989. Byrd R. Brown (1930-2001) was an attorney and civil rights activist in Pittsburgh. He was born to Homer S. Brown and Wilhelmina Byrd Brown in 1929. His father was also an attorney, first black judge in Allegheny County, and a civil rights activist. Brown went to Schenley High School and graduated in 1947 then went on to Yale University where he attained a law degree as well as an arts degree. Brown rose to prominence in his community from the different activities he engaged in such as charity work, legal work, and political engagements. He ran for Congress in 1970 and then for mayor of Pittsburgh in 1989 but did not get elected for either position. The Pittsburgh NAACP was led by his father, Homer S. Brown in 1934 and Byrd R. Brown became the president from 1958-1971. Brown was also nominated to the board of directors of the Pittsburgh Foundation in 1988.

Pitz, Marylynne. “Lawyer Byrd Brown Dies; Giant in Civil Rights Struggle.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Newspapers.com. p.1. 4 May 2001.