Furman L. Templeton

Furman Laurence Templeton was a campaigner for African American civil rights in Baltimore, Maryland. He served 25 years as the Executive Director of the Baltimore Urban League, 20 years as a member of Selective Service Board 13 in Baltimore, he was the former Vice-chairman of the Baltimore Housing Authority, a member of a Maryland Commission on Interracial Problems and Relations, and he was also a chairman of the Social Education and Action Committee of the Presbytery of Baltimore.

Early life Furman Laurence Templeton (1908–1970) was born in Hackensack, New Jersey. He earned a bachelor's degree at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree by Morgan State College in Baltimore. He was chosen for this position because after he graduated Lincoln University he was the first African American to be appointed an interviewer in the Baltimore office of the state employment service on August 15, 1933 by Oliver C. Short as the white State director. Also that year, Templeton questioned the government purchase of Perryman, Maryland land. This land was going to be used to expand the southwest border of the Aberdeen proving grounds, and was also the home to about 150 families, a third of them were African Americans who were now forced to seek new homes and sell their homes for a quarter of the present purchase price per acre of land, and are buying white homes for more. Thanks to his efforts in education and involvement in civil rights causes Furman L. Templeton Elementary School, at 1200 Pennsylvania Ave of Baltimore, Maryland is named in his memory.

Death Upon his death on February 12, 1970, Furman L. Templeton left his wife Irene Roye-Templeton and their two sons, Furman L Templeton, Jr and Roye Stansbury Templeton, at their residence on the 1500 block of McCulloh Street. Because Templeton worked hard to create equality for the African Americans in Baltimore he left a lasting impact, and a small legacy in the school that is now his namesake. He also left a grandson, Stefan Templeton, b. 1967. A granddaughter Kimberly STempleton, b.1966 and grandson Evan Seth Templeton b . 1968.