L. Clure Morton, the federal judge who ordered massive crosstown busing to racially integrate the Nashville, Tenn., schools in 1971, died April 11. He was 82.
Judge Morton said in a 1996 interview that he and his wife were ostracized in white legal and social circles following his busing decision. He said he was personally opposed to busing and was simply applying federal law. The order is still in effect, although officials and plaintiffs are working on a plan to reduce busing and end federal oversight of the district.
President Nixon named Mr. Morton to the U.S. District Court for central Tennessee in 1970. Among his other cases, Judge Morton ruled in 1982 that a Tennessee law requiring a minute of silence each day in the state’s public schools was unconstitutional.
