Judge Earl Ben Gilliam Papers MS-0494

Jessica Guardado
Special Collections & University Archives
06/12/2012
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA 92182-8050
askscua@sdsu.edu


Contributing Institution: Special Collections & University Archives
Title: Judge Earl Ben Gilliam Papers
Creator: Gilliam, Judge Earl B. (Earl Ben Gilliam)
Identifier/Call Number: MS-0494
Physical Description: 10.84 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1945-2011
Date (bulk): 1965-1981
Language of Material: English .

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.

Arrangement Note

I.   Personal Files (1946-1999)
II.  Professional Files (1956-2011)
III. Memorial Files (2001)
IV. Scrapbooks (1945-2001)
V.  Audio/Video Files (1979-2004)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

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.

Source of Acquisition

Rebecca Prater

Accruals and Additions

2011-067

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

Preferred Citation

Identification of item, folder title, box number, Judge Earl B. Gilliam Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, San Diego State University Library.

Biographical Note

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 Black 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 Black 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. He passed away on January 28, 2001. Upon his death a sculpture of him was placed at the San Diego Court's Hall of Justice.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

African American civic leaders--California--San Diego--Biography--Sources
African Americans--California--San Diego

 

Personal Files (1945-1999) Series 1

box 1, folder 1

Alpha Pi Boulé Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity Folder 1 1965-2002

box 1, folder 2

Bar Examination Pass Letter Folder 2 November 29, 1957

box 1, folder 3

Biographical Information Folder 3

box 1, folder 4

Biographical Sketches and Resumes Folder 4

box 1, folder 5

Boys' Club of San Diego Gourmet Dinner Benefit Folder 5 1981-1987

box 1, folder 6

Boys and Girls Club Folder 6 1989-1991

box 1, folder 7

California Center for Judicial Education and Research: Certificate Folder 7 1974,1978

box 1, folder 8

Catfish Club Folder 8 1995

box 1, folder 9

Certificates Folder 9 1966-1976, 1980;1995

box 1, folder 10

City Council Adjournment in Memory of James Earl Gilliam Folder 10 August 29, 1974

box 1, folder 11

College and Law School Transcripts Folder 11

box 1, folder 12

Correspondence: African Arts Committee Folder 12 April 3, 1987

box 1, folder 13

Correspondence: Personal Folder 13 1975-1993

box 1, folder 14

Distinguished Alumni Awards, San Diego State University College of Business Administration Folder 14

box 1, folder 15

"Facts About Blacks" Pamphlet Folder 15 1980-1981

box 1, folder 16

Fifty-Second Anniversary Citation Dinner Folder 16 June 11, 1980

box 1, folder 17

Fight for Freedom Celebration Folder 17 June 26, 1957

box 1, folder 18

"For the Love of Earl" Folder 18 September 9, 1994

box 1, folder 19

Funeral Programs of Deseaced Friends Folder 19 1995-1999

box 1, folder 20

Gilliam, Lula Mae Folder 20 1977-1988

box 1, folder 21

Hastings College of Law: Acceptance Letters and Correspondence Folder 21 1953-1957

box 1, folder 22

Hastings Community Commencement Folder 22 1993

box 1, folder 23

Hospitalization Folder 23 1994

box 2, folder 1

Just the Beginning Foundation (JTBF) Folder 1 November 19, 2001

box 2, folder 2

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Certificate Folder 2 August 22, 1951

box 2, folder 3

Lousiana Seafood Market Folder 3 1954-1955, 1962

box 2, folder 4

Mailing List Folder 4

box 2, folder 5

Correspondence: "Oustanding Man of the Year Award" Folder 5 1966

box 2, folder 6

Memorial Junior High School - Promotional Services Folder 6 June 20, 1946

box 2, folder 7

Memorial Services of the late James Earl Gilliam Folder 7 August 26, 1974

box 2, folder 8

Naval Training Center Guest of Honor at the Recruit Brigade Review Folder 8 1971

box 2, folder 9

Navy Guest Cruise, USS Kitty Hawk Folder 9 July 7-12, 1965

box 2, folder 10

Navy Guest Cruise, USS Kitty Hawk Folder 10 July 7-12, 1965

box 2, folder 11

Newsclippings: Personal Folder 11 1946, 1995-1999

box 2, folder 12

"Personal Reflection on Thirty Years of Legal Education for Minority Students" by Harry T. Edwards Folder 12

box 2, folder 13

Photograph Album Folder 13 1986

box 2, folder 14

Photographs: Jerusalem Folder 14

box 3, folder 1

Photographs: Jenco and the Dead Sea Folder 1

box 3, folder 2

Photographs: Judge Turrentine's Birthday Party Folder 2 1984

box 3, folder 3

Photographs: Mount of Olives Folder 3

box 3, folder 4

Photographs and Negatives: Alps Folder 4

box 3, folder 5

Photographs and Negatives: Geneva, Germany, Israel Folder 5

box 3, folder 6

Photographs and Negatives: Unidentified Folder 6

box 3, folder 7

Photographs: Personal Folder 7

box 3, folder 8

Photographs: Tiberia Folder 8

box 3, folder 9

Photogrpahs: U.S. Naval Training Center, 1969 Folder 9

box 3, folder 10

Presidential Inaugural Committee Folder 10 January 20, 1993

box 3, folder 11

Proclamation Earl B. Gilliam Day Folder 11 October 29, 1994

box 3, folder 12

San Diego Black History Calendar Folder 12 1985

box 3, folder 13

San Diego County Black Chamber of Commerce - 20th Century Excellency Awards Folder 13 March 4, 1995

box 3, folder 14

San Diego High School Folder 14 1948-1949

box 3, folder 15

San Diego High School Football Programs Folder 15 1947-1948

box 3, folder 16

San Diego High School Foundation, 1995 Folder 16

box 3, folder 17

San Diego High School Homecoming Folder 17 1974

box 3, folder 18

San Diego High School, The Russ Newspaper Folder 18

box 3, folder 19

San Diego High School Yearbook Folder 19 1949

box 3, folder 20

San Miguel Memorial Junior High School Folder 20 1946

box 3, folder 21

Sawyer, Kenneth: Drawings (Former Police Officer) Folder 21

box 3, folder 22

Southeast Awareness and Support Coalition Testimonial Dinner for Earl B. Gilliam Folder 22 January 30, 1976

box 3, folder 23

Special Tribute Dinners Folder 23 1994-1995

box 4, folder 1

Speeches Folder 1

box 4, folder 2

Speech for Martin Luther King Junior Assembly at Patrick Henry High School Folder 2 January 14, 1993

box 4, folder 3

University of Oklahoma 68th Annual Commencement Folder 3 June 5, 1960

box 4, folder 4

United States Ship Volador (SS490) Folder 4 December 11, 1964

box 4, folder 5

Victories of Spirit Sharp Healthcare Rehabilitation Services - Patient Achievement Folder 5

box 4, folder 6

W.J. Oakes Boys and Girls Club Alumni Association Folder 6 2003

box 4, folder 7

"We had a Dream: Contributions of Black Americans" Folder 7 1976

box 4, folder 8

"What the San Diego Negro is Thinking" San Diego and Point Magazine Folder 8 September 1965

box 4, folder 9

Young Man of the Year Award Folder 9 1966

box 15, item 1

The Ebony Tribune, v.2, no. 2 Item 1 November 13, 1987

box 15, item 2

The San Diego Light House, v.16, no.12 Item 2 June 21, 1957

box 15, item 3

The San Diego Light House, v.16, no.19 Item 3 August 16, 1957

box 15, item 4

The San Diego Light House, v. 16, no.1920 Item 4 November 8, 1957

box 15, item 5

The San Diego Light House, v. 16, no.24 Item 5 December 6, 1957

box 15, item 6

The San Diego Observer, v.2, no.49 Item 6 December 7, 1957

box 15, item 7

The Sun Reporter v.15, no.46 Item 7 December 7, 1957

 

Professional Files (1956-2011) Series 2

box 4, folder 10

Annual Bar Dinner Committee Folder 10 1981

box 4, folder 11

Annual Western Traffic Court Conference Folder 11 January 20-24, 1964

box 4, folder 12

Anecdotes about Gilliam for San Diego Lawyer Magazine Folder 12 2001

box 4, folder 13

Appointments of African-American Article Judges Folder 13 2001

box 4, folder 14

Appointment to Federal Judge Folder 14 1980

box 4, folder 15

Articles of Partnership of BI-RA Company: A General Partnership Agreement Folder 15 July 1965

box 4, folder 16

Assemblyman Larry Stirling Folder 16

box 4, folder 17

Dicta: The Lawyer's Magazine Folder 17 June 1974, November 1978

box 4, folder 18

California Association of Black Lawyers Folder 18 1980-1998

box 4, folder 19

California Bar Examination Questions Folder 19 September 1957

box 4, folder 20

Certificates Folder 20 1980

box 4, folder 21

Conflict of Laws: Class Notes Folder 21 1956

box 4, folder 22

Conflict of Laws: Class Notes Folder 22 1956

box 5, folder 1

Conflict of Laws: Class Notes Folder 1 1956

box 5, folder 2

Correspondence Folder 2 1949-2001

box 5, folder 3

Correspondence: Congratulation letters for Superior Court Judge Folder 3 1975

box 5, folder 4

Correspondence: Congratulation letters for Federal Bench Folder 4 1978-1980

box 5, folder 5

Correspondence: Congratulation letters for Federal Bench Folder 5 1980

box 5, folder 6

Correspondence: Congratulation letters for Federal Bench Folder 6 1980

box 5, folder 7

Correspondence: Congratulation letters for Federal Bench Folder 7 1980-1981

box 20, item 1

Court Docket of Judge Earl B. Gilliam, v.1 Item 1 January 5-October 12, 1976

box 21, item 1

Court Docket of Judge Earl B. Gilliam, v.2 Item 1 October 13, 1976-April 1, 1977

box 6, item 1

Court Docket of Judge Earl B. Gilliam: Municipal Court, no.3 Item 1 April 17, 1964

box 7, item 1

Court Docket of Judge Earl B. Gilliam, v.3 Item 1 April 4, 1977-June 15, 1978

box 7, item 2

Court Docket of Judge Earl B. Gilliam, v.4 Item 2 June 16, 1978-February 13, 1980

box 8, item 1

Court Docket of Judge Earl B. Gilliam, v.5 Item 1 February 4-June 5, 1980

box 8, item 2

Court Docket of Judge Earl B. Gilliam, v.6 Item 2 June 6-August 27, 1980

box 9, folder 1

Correspondence: Letters from San Diego Court to Gilliam while in Hospital Folder 1 1993-1994

box 9, folder 2

Correspondence: Regarding "Formal Induction Ceremonies" Folder 2 1980

box 9, folder 3

Correspondence: Support Letters for Federal Bench Folder 3 1979-1980

box 9, folder 4

Correspondence: Thank You Letters for Earl B. Gilliam Folder 4 1979-1980

box 9, folder 5

Court Cases Folder 5 1978-1993

box 9, folder 6

Court Decisions with Judge Gilliam's Notes Folder 6 1978-1980

box 9, folder 7

Directory of Black Judges, Black Lawyers and Black Bar Associations Folder 7 1970

box 9, folder 8

Earl B. Gilliam and Geraldine Moses Community Access Law Library Folder 8 1995

box 9, folder 9

Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association Folder 9 1995-2008

box 10, folder 1

Earl B. Gilliam: Class Notes Folder 1 1954

box 10, folder 2

Earl B. Gilliam Moot Courtroom Dedication - Thomas Jefferson School of Law Folder 2 2011

box 10, folder 3

Earl B. Gilliam Post Office Dedication; Hall of Justice Earl B. Gilliam Bust Folder 3 2002-2008

box 10, folder 4

"Federal Bench Candidates" - U.S. Senator Alan Cranston Reports to Californians Folder 4 August 1979

box 10, folder 5

Federal Bench Materials Folder 5 1974-1979

box 10, folder 6

For the Defense Magazine Folder 6 November 1993

box 10, folder 7

Federation of Women Lawyers' Judicial Screening Panel Information Request Response Folder 7

box 10, folder 8

Grand Jury Nominations Folder 8 1980

box 10, folder 9

Information Sheet on Courtroom Procedures to Clerk Folder 9 1980

box 10, folder 10

Instructional Manual for Statements of Economic Interests Form 721 Folder 10 1979

box 10, folder 11

Judicial Council of the National Bar Association, 31st Annual Meeting Folder 11 July 31, 2002

box 10, folder 12

Judicial Questionnaires and Nominations for Federal Bench Folder 12 1979

box 10, folder 13

Judge Artemis Henderson's Federal Appointment Application Folder 13 1978

box 10, folder 14

Judge Earl B. Gilliam Address Book Folder 14

box 10, folder 15

Judge Earl B. Gilliam Appointment Book Folder 15 1976

box 11, folder 1

Judge Earl B. Gilliam Appointment Book Folder 1 1977

box 11, folder 2

Judge Earl B. Gilliam Appointment Book Folder 2 1978

box 11, folder 3

Judge Earl B. Gilliam Appointment Book Folder 3 1979

box 11, folder 4

Judge Earl B. Gilliam Guestbook Folder 4 1964

box 11, folder 5

Judge Gilliam's New Address as a U.S. District Judge Folder 5 August 28, 1980

box 11, folder 6

Judge Retirement Fund Folder 6 1962-1966

box 11, folder 7

Kappa Alpha Psi, Testimonial Dinner Honoring Black Judges of San Diego County Folder 7 July 19, 1980

box 11, folder 8

List of Judges Based on Seniority Folder 8 April 12, 1965

box 11, folder 9

Legal Professional of the Year Award Folder 9 1994

box 12, folder 1

Materials for Federal Judgeship and Draft Folder 1 1975-1980

box 12, folder 2

Municipal Court Appointment News Release Folder 2 1963

box 12, folder 3

Municipal Court Sponsor's Certificate, Campaign Form, and Contributions Folder 3 1972

box 12, folder 4

National Bar Association 12th Annual Hall of Fame Luncheon Folder 4 July 31, 1998

box 12, folder 5

Newsclippings Folder 5 1961-1969

box 12, folder 6

Newsclippings Folder 6 1963-1976

box 12, folder 7

Newsclippings Folder 7 1986-1988

box 12, folder 8

Newsclippings Folder 8 1964-1993

box 12, folder 9

Newsclippings Folder 9 1960-1999

box 12, folder 10

Newsletter: Federal Lawyer, vol. 25, no. 1 Folder 10 July, 1993

box 12, folder 11

Nursing and the Law Folder 11 1984

box 12, folder 12

Osuna, Jesse - County Clerk Folder 12 1972

box 12, folder 13

Outstanding Alumnus Award Plaque from San Diego State University Folder 13 1979-1980

box 12, folder 14

Personal Opinion KGTV 10 San Diego Confirmation of Judge Earl B. Gilliam Folder 14

box 12, folder 15

Petition of Earl B. Gilliam and Newsclippings for Federal Bench Folder 15 1978-1984

box 12, folder 16

Photographs: Professional Folder 16 1972

box 13, folder 1

Photographs: Professional Folder 1 1975-1994

box 13, folder 2

Practice Court Cases Folder 2 March 10, 1992

box 13, folder 3

Record of Jury Seating Folder 3 1983

box 13, folder 4

Reference List Folder 4

box 13, folder 5

Resumes for Secretarial Position Folder 5 1977-1979

box 13, folder 6

Retirement from U.S. District Judgeship Due to Disability Folder 6 1993

box 13, folder 7

The San Diego Urban League Incorporated Folder 7

box 13, folder 8

San Diego 200th Anniversary Calendar of Events Folder 8 April 1969

box 13, folder 9

Schedule of Real Estate owned by Earl B. Gilliam Folder 9

box 13, folder 10

Scrapbook Folder 10

box 13, folder 11

Seminar for Newly Appointed U.S. District Judge Folder 11 January 13-19, 1980

box 13, folder 12

Spirits in Stone Galleries - Retirement Gift, 1994 Folder 12

box 13, folder 13

Stationary Folder 13

box 13, folder 14

Thomas Jefferson School of Law Folder 14 1996, 2001-2002

box 13, folder 15

Travel Voucher Folder 15 December 6, 1975

box 13, folder 16

U.S. District Court, Southern of California: Criminal Case Folder 16 March 10, 1989

box 13, folder 17

U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary - Commission on Judicial Qualifications Folder 17

box 14, folder 1

Worthington, Tracey - Judicial Application Folder 1 2000

box 14, folder 2

Witness List - Confirmation Hearings Folder 2 May 15, 1980

box 14

Memorial Files (2001) Series 3

box 14, folder 3

Letters of Condelence Folder 3 2001

box 14, folder 4

Obituaries Folder 4 2001

box 14, folder 5

In Memoriams Folder 5 2001

box 14, folder 6

Funeral Arrangements Folder 6 2001

 

Scrapbook Files (1945-2001) Series 4

box 14, folder 7

Scrapbook: Photos and News clippings Folder 7

box 14, folder 8

Scrapbook: Photos and News clippings Folder 8

box 16, item 1

Photograph: Homeroom Class Item 1

box 16, item 2

Photograph: "Just the Beginning" A Celebration of the Intergration of the Federal Judiciary Item 2 September 19, 1992

box 16, item 3

Photograph: The Fourth - Just the Beginning Foundation Conference Item 3 September 28-October 1, 2000

box 16, item 4

Scrapbook: Newsclippings Of Earl Ben Gilliam Item 4 1964

box 17, item 1

Scrapbook: Newsclippings Item 1 1944

box 17, item 2

Scrapbook: Nancy Hoover Hunter Trial Newsclippings, Part 1 Item 2 1989

box 18, item 1

Scrapbook: Nancy Hoover Hunter Trial Newsclippings, Part 2 Item 1 1989

box 18, item 2

Scrapbook: U.S. District Judge Item 2 1979

box 19

Audio/Video Files (1979-2004) Series 5

box 19, item 1

Tribute to Honorable Earl B Gilliam Item 1 October 1994

box 19, item 2

Earl B. Gilliam Van Benefit Item 2 September 1994

box 19, item 3

Earl B. Gilliam Oral History Item 3 March 1995

box 19, item 4

Sharp Healthcare Foundation "Victories of Spirit Awards" Item 4 May 11, 1995

box 19, item 5

San Diego Reunion Item 5 1997

box 19, item 6

Home Going Celebration of the Honorable Earl B. Gilliam Item 6 February 6, 2001

box 19, item 7

Gilliam Bar 30th Association Item 7

box 19, item 8

Paul Harvey-KSON-AM: Judge Earl B. Gilliam Item 8 June 28, 1979

box 19, item 9

California Association of Black Lawyers Pioneers Item 9

box 19, item 10

Channel 8 Interview before Victory of Spirit Awards Dinner Item 10

box 19, item 11

Bob Filner/Earl Ben Gilliam Post Office Speech Item 11 November, 17, 2004

box 19, item 12

The Heart of San Diego: Guest Honorable Earl B. Gilliam Item 12