Who was the first black student to attend the University of Mississippi?

The first black student to attend the University of Mississippi was James Meredith. His enrollment in 1962 marked a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, as it challenged the longstanding policy of racial segregation at the university and in the southern United States.

Meredith's application was initially denied based on his race, and it led to significant turmoil, including violent protests and federal intervention. His successful enrollment not only represented a personal achievement but also became a symbol of the struggle for civil rights and desegregation in American education. This event showcased the intense opposition to integration faced by African Americans during this period and highlighted the broader struggles for equality in the United States.

The other individuals listed, while significant figures in the Civil Rights Movement and American history, did not attend the University of Mississippi as students. For example, James Baldwin was a prominent writer and social critic; Malcolm X was a leader in the African American Muslim community; and Martin Luther King Jr. was a leading civil rights activist and minister. Each figure played vital roles in advancing civil rights but in different contexts and through different means than Meredith.