Clarence Darrow

Clarence Darrow (April 18, 1857 in Kinsman, Ohio – March 13, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois) was an American lawyer, best known for having defended Leopold and Loeb in their trial for murder and defending John T. Scopes in the so-called "Monkey Trial", opposing fundamentalist Christian prosecutor William Jennings Bryan. He remains famous for his wit, compassion and agnosticism that have marked him as one of the most famous American lawyers and civil libertarians.

Related Topics:
April 18 - 1857 - Kinsman - March 13 - 1938 - Chicago - American - Lawyer - Leopold and Loeb - John T. Scopes - "Monkey Trial" - Fundamentalist - Christian - William Jennings Bryan - Wit - Compassion - Agnosticism - Civil libertarian

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Darrow began his career as a lawyer in Youngstown, Ohio, where he was first admitted to the profession. He subsequently moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he soon became a corporations lawyer for the railroad company.

Related Topics:
Youngstown - Ohio - Chicago - Illinois - Corporation - Lawyer

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His next move was to "cross the tracks," when he switched sides to represent Eugene V. Debs, the leader of the American Railway Union in the Pullman Strike of 1894. Darrow had conscientiously resigned his corporate position in order to represent Debs, making a substantial financial sacrifice in order to do this, although the work was not pro bono.

Related Topics:
Eugene V. Debs - American Railway Union - Pullman Strike - 1894 - Pro bono

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Darrow defended Haywood, the radical leader of the Industrial Workers of the World and the Western Federation of Miners, who was acquitted of charges of being involved in the murder of the former governor of Idaho in 1905. His next notable case was the defense of the MacNamara Brothers, who were charged with dynamiting the Los Angeles Times building during the bitter struggle over the open shop in Southern California. Darrow convinced them to plead guilty in order to avoid the death penalty. Arising from this case, charges were brought against Darrow himself on two counts of attempting to bribe a juror, on which he was acquitted.

Related Topics:
Industrial Workers of the World - Western Federation of Miners - Idaho - 1905 - The MacNamara Brothers - Los Angeles Times - Open shop - Southern California - Death penalty - Juror

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Darrow subsequently left labor practice to devote himself to opposing the death penalty, which he felt to be in conflict with humanitarian progress. In more than 100 cases, Darrow only lost one murder case in Chicago. He became renowned for moving juries and even judges to tears with his eloquence. Despite scant education, which included a year at the University of Michigan Law School, Darrow had a keen intellect often shielded by his rumpled, unassuming appearance. Contrary to popular belief, he did not oppose religious principle, but the intolerance and ignorance he claimed were preached by its more conservative practitioners, such as the fundamentalists.

Related Topics:
Death penalty - Humanitarian progress - Eloquence - University of Michigan Law School

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A story attributed to Darrow is his quip to a client, who, after winning, said, "How can I ever show my appreciation, Mr. Darrow?" Darrow replied, "Ever since the Phoenicians invented money, there has been only one answer to that question." However, Darrow's pursuit of wealth has been overstated by his detractors. Darrow often took on pro bono defendants who had no means to pay for their attorney.

Related Topics:
Phoenicia - Pro bono

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During the 1924 Leopold-Loeb trial, when Darrow had supposedly accepted "a million-dollar defense", ordinary Americans were angered at their apparent betrayal. In truth, Darrow and his two co-counsels were given $100,000 to split three ways—after dunning the wealthy Loeb family for several months.

Related Topics:
1924 - Leopold-Loeb

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In 1925, he defended Ossian Sweet, a black doctor from Detroit, in the shooting death of a member of a white mob. The mob of at least a 1,000 people had gathered outside Sweet's home to force him to move from the neighborhood. Darrow referred to the trial as one his best argued, finishing with a legendary eight-hour impassioned closing argument which won acquittal for Dr. Sweet from the eleven-man jury, shocking the city.

Related Topics:
1925 - Ossian Sweet - Detroit - Mob

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After the 1925 Scopes Trial, Clarence Darrow largely retired from practice, emerging only occasionally to undertake cases, such as the 1934 Massie Trial in Hawaii.

Related Topics:
Scopes Trial - 1934 - Massie Trial - Hawaii

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A volume of Darrow's boyhood Reminiscences, entitled "Farmington," was published in Chicago in 1903 by McClurg and Company.

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Darrow shared offices with Edgar Lee Masters, who achieved more fame for his poetry, in particular the Spoon River Anthology, than for his advocacy. Darrow also took Eugene V. Debs as a partner, following his release from prison.

Related Topics:
Edgar Lee Masters - Spoon River Anthology

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After his death, a full-length one man play was created, featuring Darrow's reminiscences about his career. Originated by Henry Fonda, many actors, including Leslie Nielsen, have since taken on the role of Darrow in this play. The Scopes Monkey trials were fictionalized in another play, entitled "Inherit the Wind." This was later turned into a film.

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