William E. Harbour

William E. Harbour (January 9, 1942 – August 27, 2020) was an American civil rights activist who participated in the Freedom Rides. He was one of several youth activists involved in the latter actions, along with John Lewis, William Barbee, Paul Brooks, Charles Butler, Allen Cason, Catherine Burks, and Lucretia Collins.

Early life and education Harbour was born on January 9, 1942, in Piedmont, Alabama. His father was a cotton mill worker at the Standard Coosa Thatcher mill and the owner of the OK Barbershop — Piedmont’s only black barbershop at the time —, while his mother worked as a cook to local families.

Although his father hoped that he would take over the barbershop, Harbour was determined to become the first person in his family to attend college.

Civil Rights activism

Soon after arriving in Tennessee, Harbour joined the Student Central Committee of the Nashville Christian Leadership Council at the behest of John Lewis, His activism brought him to Rock Hill, SC where he served jail time with other students imprisoned after a lunch counter sit-in.

Out of a large number of volunteers, Harbour was one of only a few selected to take part in the first Freedom Rides; other participants included seven blacks — John Lewis, William Barbee, Paul Brooks, Charles Butler, Allen Cason Jr., Catherine Burks and Lucretia Collins —, and two whites — James Zwerg and Salynn McCollum.

In Montgomery, Harbour was the first activist to exit the bus as it arrived at the Montgomery Greyhound Bus Station – and thus the first to encounter the waiting mob. Although he survived the resultant riot (and subsequent imprisonment in Jackson), upon return to Tennessee he and 14 other students were expelled from Tennessee State University due to their involvement in the civil rights movement.

After the Freedom Ride Following his expulsion from Tennessee State University, Harbour’s mother advised him against returning to Piedmont due to fear for his safety. Consequently, from 1961 to 1966 he made only "one brief visit" home.

In late 1961, Harbour was reinstated to Tennessee State University. After a short stint as a Georgia school teacher, and a period of involvement in the War on Poverty under President Johnson, he became a federal civil servant "specializing in U.S. Army base closings".

Residing in Atlanta, Georgia, Harbour remained "an active alumnus" of Tennessee State University. The Atlanta Alumni Association sponsors a scholarship named in his honor, The William E. Harbour Academic Scholarship.