13 Facts About James Reeb

James Joseph Reeb was an American Unitarian Universalist minister, pastor, and activist during the civil rights movement in Washington, DC and Boston, Massachusetts.

James Reeb was born on January 1,1927, in Wichita, Kansas, to Mae and Harry James Reeb.

James Reeb attended Natrona County High School and graduated in 1945, after which he joined the Army despite the fact that his commitment to the ministry made him exempt from service.

James Reeb was honorably discharged eighteen months later in December 1946 as Technical Sergeant, Third Class.

Three days later, James Reeb was ordained a Presbyterian minister at the First Presbyterian Church of Casper.

James Reeb appreciated the church's emphasis on social action, and he became active in the civil rights movement during the 1960s.

When he was granted a preliminary fellowship by the Unitarians, he accepted an offer to be an assistant minister of All Souls Church in Washington DC After three years of active service at All Souls Church, James Reeb was fully ordained as a Unitarian Universalist minister in 1962.

James Reeb married Marie Deason on August 20,1950; they had four children.

James Reeb was prompted by the Bloody Sunday attack by state troopers and sheriff's deputies on nonviolent demonstrators on March 7,1965.

James Reeb went into a coma and died two days later from his injuries.

James Reeb was an attorney for the defense of the innocent in the court of world opinion.

James Reeb was a witness to the truth that men of different races and classes might live, eat, and work together as brothers.

James Reeb is portrayed by Jeremy Strong in the film Selma.