Larry Gibson: Baltimore’s Enduring Civil Rights Champion and Political Kingmaker
Larry S. Gibson stands as a towering figure in Baltimore’s political andpcivil rights landscape—a University of Maryland law professor, dedicated Democrat, and strategist who has shaped Maryland history for over five decades.^1 Born March 22, 1942, Gibson’s career blends legal scholarship, activism, and electoral victories that broke racial barriers in Charm City.^2
Trailblazing from Civil Rights to Law Professorship
Gibson rose through Howard University as student body president and civil rights chair, then earned his Columbia Law degree in 1967, becoming Maryland’s first Black federal judicial clerk.^1 He joined the faculty at University of Maryland’s Francis King Carey School of Law in 1974—after a stint as the first African American professor at UVA—teaching Evidence, Civil Procedure, Race and the Law, and Election Law for 50 years.^3 Named Morton and Sophia Macht Professor in 2019, he authored Young Thurgood, chronicling Justice Thurgood Marshall’s early career, and led the push to rename BWI Airport in Marshall’s honor.^1^4
Political Organizer Extraordinaire
Gibson’s activism ignited in 1968, managing campaigns that elected Baltimore’s first Black state’s attorney (Milton Allen) and first Black mayor (Kurt Schmoke, for whom he ran three winning races in 1987, 1991, 1995).^1 He chaired Maryland’s 1992 Clinton/Gore effort and advised African leaders like Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Madagascar’s Marc Ravalomanana.^2 Under Jimmy Carter, Gibson served as Associate Deputy Attorney General and led the National Economic Crimes Project.^3 He served on the Baltimore City School Board (1969-1975) and chaired the state commission on slavery’s legacy.^1
Lasting Civic Impact and Honors
Beyond politics, Gibson reorganized Maryland’s court rules in the 1980s, contributed to bar exams, and joined the American Law Institute.^4 A board member of the Maryland Historical Trust and Baltimore’s Historical Preservation Commission, he earned UMB’s Diversity Award (2018), Baltimore Sun Civic Hall of Fame (2019), and multiple Outstanding Faculty nods.^1^3 At 83, Gibson—of counsel at Shapiro, Sher & Sandler—remains a dedicated Democrat and historian preserving Black Maryland legacies.^2
^1 Wikipedia: Larry S. Gibson biography and career highlights - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_S._Gibson
^2 University of Maryland Carey Law faculty profile - https://www.law.umaryland.edu/faculty--research/directory/profile/index.php?id=049
^3 Shapiro, Sher & Sandler attorney bio - https://www.shapirosher.com/attorneys/larry-gibson
^4 Personal site on Baltimore School Board service - https://www.lsgibson.com/baltimore-school-board-1968-1975
Citations:
[1] Larry S. Gibson - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_S._Gibson
[2] Larry Wayne Gibson Obituary - Scarpelli Funeral Homes https://www.scarpellifh.com/obituaries/Larry-Wayne-Gibson?obId=34732574
[3] Larry Gibson’s opposition to Maryland reparations study bill provides cover for critics https://afro.com/larry-gibson-reparations-bill-op-ed/
[4] Larry S. Gibson https://www.shapirosher.com/attorneys/larry-gibson
[5] Obituaries In Cumberland - Maryland - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Obituaries.In.Cumberland.Maryland/posts/we-are-sad-to-announce-that-larry-wayne-gibson-74-years-old-passed-away-leave-yo/1057962843038179/
[6] Baltimore School Board 1968-1975 — LARRY S. GIBSON https://www.lsgibson.com/baltimore-school-board-1968-1975
[7] About http://www.larrysgibson.com/about.html
[8] Larry Gibson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information https://www.marchfh.com/m/obituaries/Larry-Gibson-8/
[9] Making Black America| Baltimore Visionaries- Larry Gibson