James Meredith was born on 25 June 1933 in Kosciusko, Mississippi, USA. He has been married to Judy Alsobrook since 1981. They have two children. He was previously married to Mary June Wiggins.
On October 1, 1962, escorted by United States Marshals, he became the first black student to attend the University of Mississippi. His admission was regarded as a pivotal moment in the history of the civil rights movement.
