Historical FigureAmerican1929 – present
Autherine Lucy
First Black student at University of Alabama, Civil rights pioneer
Biography
African American civil rights pioneer who became the first Black student admitted to the University of Alabama in 1956. Her enrollment sparked significant civil unrest but she persisted in breaking racial barriers in higher education.
Quick Facts
Category
Historical Figure
Nationality
American
Born
1929
Thinking about the name
Autherine
English origin
“A feminine variant built on the Arthur root with the -ine suffix, common in classical women's names. Autherine carries regal, timeless elegance while maintaining a connection to Arthurian legend and nobility.”