Clarence Darrow: Attorney for the Damned

John A. Farrell

BookHigh SchoolMiddle SchoolLawyer

About

A famous defender of the underdog, the oppressed, and the powerless, Clarence Darrow (1857-1938) is one of the true legends of the American legal system. His cases were many and various, but all were marked by his unequivocal sense of justice, as well as his penchant for representing infamous and unpopular clients, such as the Chicago thrill killers Leopold and Loeb; Ossian Sweet, the African American doctor charged with murder after fighting off a violent, white mob in Detroit; and John T. Scopes, the teacher on trial in the famous Scopes Monkey Trial.
Published for the first time in 1957, Attorney for the Damned collects Darrow's most influential summations and supplements them with scene-setting explanations and comprehensive notes by Arthur Weinberg. Darrow confronts issues that remain relevant over half a century after his death: First Amendment rights, capital punishment, and the separation of church and state. With an insightful forward by Justice William O. Douglas, this volume serves as a powerful reminder of Darrow's relevance today.

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Why it’s great

John Farrell’s masterful biography captures the brilliance and contradictions of one of America’s most legendary lawyers. Clarence Darrow’s courtroom battles, from defending labor leaders to standing up for science in the Scopes Trial, reveal the courage it takes to challenge the powerful and fight for unpopular causes. This book inspires readers to see the law as a tool for progress and conscience, showing how one person’s voice can shape the nation’s moral debate.

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Resource Details

Resource Type: Book
Age Ranges: High School, Middle School
Careers: Lawyer
Subjects:

Book Details

Author: John A. Farrell