Our Black Hoosier Educators series will feature notable Black educators with ties to Indiana.

John Morton-Finney was born in Kentucky. Education was important to him. He walked six miles to school each day. He attended Lincoln College where he met his wife. He also served with the Buffalo Soldiers. The Buffalo Soldiers were all Black military regiments of the army. He moved to Indianapolis with his wife in 1922. They had one daughter. He taught at Crispus Attucks High School which was only for Black students at that time. He taught German, Greek, French, Latin, Spanish, History, and Math. Morton-Finney earned eleven degrees; five of his degrees were law degrees. He earned his last degree when he was 75 years old. He was fluent in six languages. Morton-Finney received an honorary doctorate degree in 1991. He was inducted into the National Bar Association’s Hall of Fame. He stopped practicing law at age 106 and was one of the longest serving lawyers in America when he retired. Indianapolis Public Schools named its Center for Education Services after him. He reached the age of 108 before he passed away. 

Quote: “I never stop studying. There’s always lots to learn. When you stop learning, that’s about the end of you.”

Sources: Notable Kentucky African American Database, Indiana Historical Society, & African Americans in Indianapolis: A Story of a People Determined to Be Free

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