Guide to the Judge Earl B. Gilliam Papers
Finding Aid Authors: Jessica Guardado.
© Copyright 2012 Special Collections & University Archives. All rights reserved.
2012-06-12
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA, 92182-8050
URL: http://library.sdsu.edu/scua
Email: scref@rohan.sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-594-6791
Guide to the Judge Earl B. Gilliam Papers
1945/2011
Special Collections & University Archives
Overview of the Collection
Collection Title: Judge Earl B. Gilliam Papers
Dates: 1945-2011
Bulk Dates: 1965-1981
Identification: MS-0494
Creator:
Judge Earl B. Gilliam
Physical Description: 10.84 linear ft
Language of Materials:
English
Repository:
Special Collections & University Archives
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA, 92182-8050
URL: http://library.sdsu.edu/scua
Email: scref@rohan.sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-594-6791
Biographical Information:
Earl Ben Gilliam was born in Clovis, New Mexico on August 17, 1931. At age 10, Gilliam and his parents, James Earl and Lula
Mae Gooden Gilliam, moved to San Diego. Gilliam attended Memorial Jr. High and San Diego High School where he played football
and ran track. He graduated high school in 1949 and then attended San Diego State College where he studied business with an
emphasis in accounting and a minor in economics. During college, Gilliam helped to establish the Delta Epsilon Chapter of
KAP Fraternity. In 1953, he was accepted to Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco and passed his Bar Examination in
1957. In the 1940’s, Gilliam’s family had opened the Seafood Louisiana Market on Imperial Avenue where Gilliam worked as a
clerk during high school, college, and while on vacation from law school. While in law school, he also worked as a janitor
and a playground director. Gilliam married Barbara Jean Crawford in 1956 and had two children, Kenneth Earl and Derrick James
Gilliam. Gilliam and Barbara Jean divorced in 1975.
Gilliam began practicing law in 1957 as a deputy district attorney and entered into private practice in 1961. In 1963, he
became the first African American Judge of the Municipal Court in San Diego County. In 1975, he was elevated by Governor Jerry
Brown to the U.S. Superior Court. Afterwards, President Jimmy Carter appointed Gilliam to the federal bench of the United
States District Court of Southern California.
Besides his legal practice, Gilliam gave much of his time to serving the San Diego community. He was active in the following
organizations: Traffic Committee for the California State Bar Association; National Association for the Advanced Colored People
(NAACP); Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA); Senior Housing Charity; Salvation Army; Boys’ Club; Urban League; Navy
League; Southeast Chamber of Commerce; and the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was also a law instructor for ten years at Western
State College.
Gilliam received many awards and accolades from the community. In 1981, he was the recipient of the Golden Man and Boy Award
for the Boys’ Club of San Diego. Additionally, the Association of Black Attorneys of San Diego County changed their name to
the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association in 1982 in honor of his professional accomplishments as an African American lawyer and
judge. After Gilliam’s death, the city named the Imperial Avenue post office in Gilliam’s name.
In 1978, Gilliam met his second wife, Rebecca Prater. They married in 1993. After two weeks of marriage, Gilliam had elective
heart surgery. Complications during the surgery left him paralyzed and dialysis-dependent. Gilliam then retired to Senior
Judge Status and continued his legal work part-time. Earl Ben Gilliam passed away on January 28, 2001. Upon his death a sculpture
of him was placed at the San Diego Court’s Hall of Justice.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
Topical Term:
African American civic leaders -- California -- San Diego -- Biography -- Sources
African Americans -- California -- San Diego
Administrative Information
Accruals:
2011-067
Conditions Governing Use:
The copyright interests in some of these materials have been transferred to or belong to San Diego State University. The nature
of historical archival and manuscript collections means that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine.
Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. Requests for permission to publish
must be submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted,
permission is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply
permission of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are
made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the
materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.
Conditions Governing Access:
This colleciton is open for research.
Preferred Citation:
Identification of item, folder title, box number, Judge Earl B. Gilliam Papers, Special Collections and University Archives,
Library and Information Access, San Diego State University.
Related Materials:
Alpha Pi Boulé Records
Reverend George Walker Smith Papers
Carlin Integration Case Records
Citizen Coordinate for Century 3 Records
Harold K. Brown Papers, 1956-2000
Arrangement of Materials:
I. Personal Files (1946-1999)
II. Professional Files (1956-2011)
III. Memorial Files (2001)
IV. Scrapbooks (1945-2001)
V. Audio/Video Files (1979-2004)
Scope and Contents
The
Earl B. Gilliam Papers document five decades of Gilliam’s career as a judge in San Diego County. The collection includes news clippings, photos,
correspondence, invitations, federal bench nominations, court cases, class notes, scrapbooks, award certificates, court dockets,
and judicial questionnaires. The majority of the material dates from around the 1940’s to the late 1990's, and highlights
Gilliam’s community service, as well as his appointments to local, state, and federal judgeships. The collection is divided
into five series:
Personal Files (1945-1999),
Professional Files (1956-2011),
Memorial Files (2001),
Scrapbooks (1945-2001), and
Video Files (1979-2004).
The Personal Files (1945-1999) document Gilliam’s high school experience and achievements, as well as his community involvement. This series
includes personal photographs of his childhood, friends’ memorial programs, San Diego High School programs, personal correspondence,
certificates of achievement, the
Sun Reporter newspaper, the
Lighthouse newspaper, the
San Diego Observer newspaper, and materials regarding Gilliam’s hospitalization in the 1990’s. The files are arranged in alphabetical order with
minimal documentation regarding his early childhood.
The Professional Files (1956-2011) largely document Gilliam’s career as a municipal court and federal bench judge. The series includes congratulatory
correspondence, court dockets, appointment books, news clippings, biography for federal judgeship, courtroom procedures, judicial
questionnaires, photographs, federal bench petition, retirement documents from U.S. District Judgeship, and judicial application.
Highlights include correspondence and news clippings of Gilliam’s appointment to the federal bench. The series is arranged
alphabetically by folder title.
The Memorial Files (2001) document Gilliam’s passing. These files include letters of condolence, obituaries, and information regarding funeral
arrangements gathered by Gilliam’s wife, Rebecca Prater. These files are the smallest of the series and are arranged alphabetically.
The Scrapbook Files (1945-2001) consist of five scrapbooks, two of which that document a trial of 197 counts of federal tax evasion and fraud
by Nancy Hoover Hunter. The files include newspaper clippings and correspondence regarding the trial. Much of the correspondence
is unsupportive of Gilliam’s final verdict. The rest of the scrapbooks include news clippings of Gilliam’s appointments from
Municipal Judge to Federal Bench judge, news articles of personal interest, and personal photographs.
The Video Files (1979-2004) contain video tributes to Gilliam, reunion ceremonies, an interview of Gilliam on audio cassette tape, and oral
histories. The series is in chronological order.
Detailed List of Contents
Personal Files (1945-1999)
Box 1, Folder 1
Alpha Pi Boulé Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity
1965-2002
Box 1, Folder 2
Bar Examination Pass Letter
November 29, 1957
Box 1, Folder 4
Biographical Sketches and Resumes
Box 1, Folder 5
Boys' Club of San Diego Gourmet Dinner Benefit
1981-1987
Box 1, Folder 6
Boys and Girls Club
1989-1991
Box 1, Folder 7
California Center for Judicial Education and Research: Certificate
1974,1978
Box 1, Folder 9
Certificates
1966-1976, 1980;1995
Box 1, Folder 10
City Council Adjournment in Memory of James Earl Gilliam
August 29, 1974
Box 1, Folder 11
College and Law School Transcripts
Box 1, Folder 12
Correspondence: African Arts Committee
April 3, 1987
Box 1, Folder 13
Correspondence: Personal
1975-1993
Box 1, Folder 14
Distinguished Alumni Awards, San Diego State University College of Business Administration
Box 1, Folder 15
"Facts About Blacks" Pamphlet
1980-1981
Box 1, Folder 16
Fifty-Second Anniversary Citation Dinner
June 11, 1980
Box 1, Folder 17
Fight for Freedom Celebration
June 26, 1957
Box 1, Folder 18
"For the Love of Earl"
September 9, 1994
Box 1, Folder 19
Funeral Programs of Deseaced Friends
1995-1999
Box 1, Folder 20
Gilliam, Lula Mae
1977-1988
Box 1, Folder 21
Hastings College of Law: Acceptance Letters and Correspondence
1953-1957
Box 1, Folder 22
Hastings Community Commencement
1993
Box 2, Folder 1
Just the Beginning Foundation (JTBF)
November 19, 2001
Box 2, Folder 2
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Certificate
August 22, 1951
Box 2, Folder 3
Lousiana Seafood Market
1954-1955, 1962
Box 2, Folder 5
Correspondence: "Oustanding Man of the Year Award"
1966
Box 2, Folder 6
Memorial Junior High School - Promotional Services
June 20, 1946
Box 2, Folder 7
Memorial Services of the late James Earl Gilliam
August 26, 1974
Box 2, Folder 8
Naval Training Center Guest of Honor at the Recruit Brigade Review, 1971
1971
Box 2, Folder 9
Navy Guest Cruise, USS Kitty Hawk
July 7-12, 1965
Box 2, Folder 10
Navy Guest Cruise, USS Kitty Hawk
July 7-12, 1965
Box 2, Folder 11
Newsclippings: Personal
1946, 1995-1999
Box 2, Folder 12
"Personal Reflection on Thirty Years of Legal Education for Minority Students" by Harry T. Edwards
Box 3, Folder 1
Photographs: Jenco and the Dead Sea
Box 3, Folder 2
Photographs: Judge Turrentine's Birthday Party
1984
Box 3, Folder 3
Photographs: Mount of Olives
Box 3, Folder 4
Photographs and Negatives: Alps
Box 3, Folder 5
Photographs and Negatives: Geneva, Germany, Israel
Box 3, Folder 6
Photographs and Negatives: Unidentified
Box 3, Folder 9
Photogrpahs: U.S. Naval Training Center, 1969
Box 3, Folder 10
Presidential Inaugural Committee
January 20, 1993
Box 3, Folder 11
Proclamation Earl B. Gilliam Day
October 29, 1994
Box 3, Folder 12
San Diego Black History Calendar
1985
Box 3, Folder 13
San Diego County Black Chamber of Commerce - 20th Century Excellency Awards
March 4, 1995
Box 3, Folder 14
San Diego High School
1948-1949
Box 3, Folder 15
San Diego High School Football Programs
1947-1948
Box 3, Folder 16
San Diego High School Foundation, 1995
Box 3, Folder 17
San Diego High School Homecoming
1974
Box 3, Folder 18
San Diego High School, The Russ Newspaper
Box 3, Folder 19
San Diego High School Yearbook
1949
Box 3, Folder 20
"San Miguel" Memorial Junior High School
1946
Box 3, Folder 21
Sawyer, Kenneth: Drawings (Former Police Officer)
Box 3, Folder 22
Southeast Awareness and Support Coalition Testimonial Dinner for Earl B. Gilliam
January 30, 1976
Box 3, Folder 23
Special Tribute Dinners
1994-1995
Box 4, Folder 2
Speech for Martin Luther King Junior Assembly at Patrick Henry High School
January 14, 1993
Box 4, Folder 3
University of Oklahoma 68th Annual Commencement
June 5, 1960
Box 4, Folder 4
U.S.S. Volador (SS490)
December 11, 1964
Box 4, Folder 5
Victories of Spirit Sharp Healthcare Rehabilitation Services - Patient Achievement
Box 4, Folder 6
W.J. Oakes Boys and Girls Club Alumni Association
2003
Box 4, Folder 7
"We had a Dream: Contributions of Black Americans"
1976
Box 4, Folder 8
"What the San Diego Negro is Thinking"
San Diego and Point Magazine
September 1965
Box 4, Folder 9
Young Man of the Year Award
1966
Box 15
The Ebony Tribune, v.2, no. 2
November 13, 1987
Box 15
The San Diego Light House, v.16, no.12
June 21, 1957
Box 15
The San Diego Light House, v.16, no.19
August 16, 1957
Box 15
The San Diego Light House, v. 16, no.1920
November 8, 1957
Box 15
The San Diego Light House, v. 16, no.24
December 6, 1957
Box 15
The San Diego Observer, v.2, no.49
December 7, 1957
Box 15
The Sun Reporter v.15, no.46
December 7, 1957
Professional Files (1956-2011)
Box 4, Folder 10
Annual Bar Dinner Committee
1981
Box 4, Folder 11
Annual Western Traffic Court Conference
January 20-24, 1964
Box 4, Folder 12
Anecdotes about Gilliam for
San Diego Lawyer Magazine
2001
Box 4, Folder 13
Appointments of African-American Article Judges
2001
Box 4, Folder 14
Appointment to Federal Judge
1980
Box 4, Folder 15
Articles of Partnership of BI-RA Company: A General Partnership Agreement
July 1965
Box 4, Folder 16
Assemblyman Larry Stirling
Box 4, Folder 17
Dicta: The Lawyer's Magazine
June 1974, November 1978
Box 4, Folder 18
California Association of Black Lawyers
1980-1998
Box 4, Folder 19
California Bar Examination Questions
September 1957
Box 4, Folder 21
Conflict of Laws: Class Notes
1956
Box 4, Folder 22
Conflict of Laws: Class Notes
1956
Box 5, Folder 1
Conflict of Laws: Class Notes
1956
Box 5, Folder 3
Correspondence: Congratulation letters for Superior Court Judge
1975
Box 5, Folder 4
Correspondence: Congratulation letters for Federal Bench
1978-1980
Box 5, Folder 5
Correspondence: Congratulation letters for Federal Bench
1980
Box 5, Folder 6
Correspondence: Congratulation letters for Federal Bench
1980
Box 5, Folder 7
Correspondence: Congratulation letters for Federal Bench
1980-1981
Box 6
Court Docket of Judge Earl B. Gilliam: Municipal Court, no.3
April 17, 1964
Box 6
Court Docket of Judge Earl B. Gilliam, v.1
January 5-October 12, 1976
Box 7
Court Docket of Judge Earl B. Gilliam, v.2
October 13, 1976-April 1, 1977
Box 7
Court Docket of Judge Earl B. Gilliam, v.3
April 4, 1977-June 15, 1978
Box 7
Court Docket of Judge Earl B. Gilliam, v.4
June 16, 1978-February 13, 1980
Box 8
Court Docket of Judge Earl B. Gilliam, v.5
February 4-June 5, 1980
Box 8
Court Docket of Judge Earl B. Gilliam, v.6
June 6-August 27, 1980
Box 9, Folder 1
Correspondence: Letters from San Diego Court to Gilliam while in Hospital
1993-1994
Box 9, Folder 2
Correspondence: Regarding "Formal Induction Ceremonies"
1980
Box 9, Folder 3
Correspondence: Support Letters for Federal Bench
1979-1980
Box 9, Folder 4
Correspondence: Thank You Letters for Earl B. Gilliam
1979-1980
Box 9, Folder 6
Court Decisions with Judge Gilliam's Notes
1978-1980
Box 9, Folder 7
Directory of Black Judges, Black Lawyers and Black Bar Associations
1970
Box 9, Folder 8
Earl B. Gilliam and Geraldine Moses Community Access Law Library
1995
Box 9, Folder 9
Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association
1995-2008
Box 10, Folder 1
Earl B. Gilliam: Class Notes
1954
Box 10, Folder 2
Earl B. Gilliam Moot Courtroom Dedication - Thomas Jefferson School of Law
2011
Box 10, Folder 3
Earl B. Gilliam Post Office Dedication; Hall of Justice Earl B. Gilliam Bust
2002-2008
Box 10, Folder 4
"Federal Bench Candidates" - U.S. Senator Alan Cranston Reports to Californians
August 1979
Box 10, Folder 5
Federal Bench Materials
1974-1979
Box 10, Folder 6
For the Defense Magazine
November 1993
Box 10, Folder 7
Federation of Women Lawyers' Judicial Screening Panel Information Request Response
Box 10, Folder 8
Grand Jury Nominations
1980
Box 10, Folder 9
Information Sheet on Courtroom Procedures to Clerk
1980
Box 10, Folder 10
Instructional Manual for Statements of Economic Interests Form 721
1979
Box 10, Folder 11
Judicial Council of the National Bar Association, 31st Annual Meeting
July 31, 2002
Box 10, Folder 12
Judicial Questionnaires and Nominations for Federal Bench
1979
Box 10, Folder 13
Judge Artemis Henderson's Federal Appointment Application
1978
Box 10, Folder 14
Judge Earl B. Gilliam Address Book
Box 10, Folder 15
Judge Earl B. Gilliam Appointment Book
1976
Box 11, Folder 1
Judge Earl B. Gilliam Appointment Book
1977
Box 11, Folder 2
Judge Earl B. Gilliam Appointment Book
1978
Box 11, Folder 3
Judge Earl B. Gilliam Appointment Book
1979
Box 11, Folder 4
Judge Earl B. Gilliam Guestbook
1964
Box 11, Folder 5
Judge Gilliam's New Address as a U.S. District Judge
August 28, 1980
Box 11, Folder 6
Judge Retirement Fund
1962-1966
Box 11, Folder 7
Kappa Alpha Psi, Testimonial Dinner Honoring Black Judges of San Diego County
July 19, 1980
Box 11, Folder 8
List of Judges Based on Seniority
April 12, 1965
Box 11, Folder 9
Legal Professional of the Year Award
1994
Box 12, Folder 1
Materials for Federal Judgeship and Draft
1975-1980
Box 12, Folder 2
Municipal Court Appointment News Release
1963
Box 12, Folder 3
Municipal Court Sponsor's Certificate, Campaign Form, and Contributions
1972
Box 12, Folder 4
National Bar Association 12th Annual Hall of Fame Luncheon
July 31, 1998
Box 12, Folder 11
Osuna, Jesse - County Clerk
1972
Box 12, Folder 12
Outstanding Alumnus Award Plaque from San Diego State University
1979-1980
Box 12, Folder 13
Personal Opinion KGTV 10 San Diego Confirmation of Judge Earl B. Gilliam
Box 12, Folder 14
Petition of Earl B. Gilliam and Newsclippings for Federal Bench
1978-1984
Box 12, Folder 15
Photographs: Professional
1972
Box 13, Folder 1
Photographs: Professional
1975-1994
Box 13, Folder 2
Practice Court Cases
March 10, 1992
Box 13, Folder 3
Record of Jury Seating
1983
Box 13, Folder 5
Resumes for Secretarial Position
1977-1979
Box 13, Folder 6
Retirement from U.S. District Judgeship Due to Disability
1993
Box 13, Folder 7
The San Diego Urban League Incorporated
Box 13, Folder 8
San Diego 200th Anniversary Calendar of Events
April 1969
Box 13, Folder 9
Schedule of Real Estate owned by Earl B. Gilliam
Box 13, Folder 11
Seminar for Newly Appointed U.S. District Judge
January 13-19, 1980
Box 13, Folder 12
Spirits in Stone Galleries - Retirement Gift, 1994
Box 13, Folder 14
Thomas Jefferson School of Law
1996, 2001-2002
Box 13, Folder 15
Travel Voucher
December 6, 1975
Box 13, Folder 16
UCLA School of Law Bulletin and Application - Earl B. Gilliam Scholarship
1998-1999
Box 13, Folder 17
U.S. District Court, Southern of California: Criminal Case
March 10, 1989
Box 13, Folder 18
U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary - Commission on Judicial Qualifications
Box 14, Folder 1
Worthington, Tracey - Judicial Application
2000
Box 14, Folder 2
Witness List - Confirmation Hearings
May 15, 1980
Box 14, Folder 3
Letters of Condelence
2001
Box 14, Folder 6
Funeral Arrangements
2001
Scrapbook Files (1945-2001)
Box 14, Folder 7
Scrapbook: Photos and News clippings
Box 14, Folder 8
Scrapbook: Photos and News clippings
Box 16
Photograph: Homeroom Class
Box 16
Photograph: "Just the Beginning" A Celebration of the Intergration of the Federal Judiciary
September 19, 1992
Box 16
Photograph: The Fourth - Just the Beginning Foundation Conference
September 28-October 1, 2000
Box 16
Scrapbook: Newsclippings
1964
Box 17
Scrapbook: Newsclippings
1944
Box 17
Scrapbook: Nancy Hoover Hunter Trial
1989
Box 18
Scrapbook: U.S. District Judge
1979
Box 18
Scrapbook: Nancy Hoover Hunter Trial
1989
Audio/Video Files (1979-2004)
Box 19
Tribute to Honorable Earl B Gilliam
October 1994
Box 19
Earl B. Gilliam Van Benefit
September 1994
Box 19
Earl B. Gilliam Van Benefit Tribute
September 1994
Box 19
Earl B. Gilliam Oral History
March 1995
Box 19
Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association (EBGBA) Tribute to Earl B. Gilliam
1994
Box 19
Sharp Healthcare Foundation "Victories of Spirit Awards"
May 11, 1995
Box 19
Sharp Healthcare Foundation "Victories of Spirit" Award Recipients
1995
Box 19
Home Going Celebration of the Honorable Earl B. Gilliam
February 6, 2001
Box 19
Gilliam Bar 30th Association
Box 19
Paul Harvey-KSON-AM: Judge Earl B. Gilliam
June 28, 1979
Box 19
Earl B. Gilliam Oral History
Box 19
California Association of Black Lawyers Pioneers
Box 19
Earl B. Gilliam Dinner Tribute
Box 19
Channel 8 Interview before Victory of Spirit Awards Dinner
Box 19
The Heart of San Diego: Guest Honorable Earl B. Gilliam
