K. Leroy Irvis, a distinguished alum of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, paved an extraordinary path from the halls at our law department to the heights of Pennsylvania's political arena. Graduating fourth in his class in 1954, Irvis's legal education laid the foundation for a career that would reshape Pennsylvania's legislative landscape. His ascent to the first African American Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, a role he was unanimously elected and held from 1977 until his retirement in 1988, stands as a testament to his exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment to civil rights, and profound dedication to public service.
K. Leroy Irvis was born on December 4, 1916, in Saugerties, New York, though many sources erroneously cite 1920 as his birth year. Raised in Albany, New York, Irvis grew up in a predominantly White neighborhood where he excelled academically and remembered being well-accepted by neighbors and classmates. His father, Frank Irvis, a biracial man who worked as a chauffeur and handyman, emphasized the importance of character over color, while his mother, Harriet Irvis, encouraged his artistic and intellectual pursuits. Irvis excelled academically, earning a master's degree from what is now the University at Albany, State University of New York. After, Irvis taught in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was confronted by the stark racism and racial inequities that were less prevalent in Albany. His time in Baltimore proved highly influential, as he had the opportunity to live, albeit temporarily, in the home of Thurgood Marshall. Marshall — who notably argued the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case before the U.S. Supreme Court and went on to become a Supreme Court justice himself — had a significant impact on Irvis during this formative period.
In 1941, Irvis married Rosetta Ward, a schoolteacher, and the couple had a daughter, Jean Frances. The marriage was brief, and in 1945, Irvis remarried Katharyne Ann Jones. Together, they moved to Pittsburgh, where Irvis initially worked with the Urban League. In 1947, he played a key role in organizing mass picketing of downtown department stores that refused to hire Black clerks. While the campaign was successful, it led to Irvis’ dismissal from the Urban League, which feared losing its crucial financial supporters. Struggling to find new employment, Irvis took a job in Pittsburgh’s steel mills, where he narrowly escaped death in a serious accident.
He left the mills to enroll at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he graduated fourth in his class in 1954. Despite a promised position with a prestigious downtown law firm, the position fell through. Instead, Irvis's legal career began modestly with positions with the Pittsburgh Courier, as a law clerk to Judges Anne Alpern and Loran Lewis, and as an assistant in the district attorney’s office. In 1958, he launched a vigorous campaign for the Democratic seat in the Pennsylvania state legislature, dismantling the White-controlled political machine in the Hill District. However, just over a year later, Irvis faced the devastating loss of his second wife. In his sorrow, he immersed himself even more deeply in his work.
Irvis rapidly ascended through the ranks of party leadership, becoming caucus chair in 1963, party whip in 1967, and party leader in 1969. His tenure as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1977 to 1988 was a period of remarkable achievement. Irvis became the first African American to hold such a position since Reconstruction, earning bipartisan respect and admiration.
During his 30-year legislative career, Irvis sponsored or co-sponsored over 1,600 pieces of legislation, more than 875 bills concerning education, civil rights, human services, health, mental illness, governmental administration, and prison and housing reform. Notable achievements include his involvement in the creation of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and support for various civil rights initiatives. Perhaps influenced by his background as a teacher, Irvis dedicated much of his time in the House to advancing education in Pennsylvania. His most significant legislative contribution was Act 101, a scholarship program that significantly expanded educational opportunities for thousands of students.
In 1962, Irvis met Cathryn Edwards, and after a lengthy courtship, they married in 1974. Irvis was drawn to Edwards’ independent spirit and political activism, and she would become a significant political ally and partner, managing Irvis’ Pittsburgh office as its voluntary executive director. Her efforts were vital in maintaining local support for Irvis, ensuring his continued success in elections despite his busy schedule in Harrisburg. In that regard, she was a key reason for his repeated landslide re-election victories.
During the riots of 1968 following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Irvis stood out as one of the few local leaders who had both the credibility and courage to be on the streets. He played a crucial role in saving lives by urging residents to disperse and encouraging the police to exercise restraint. His actions were instrumental in ensuring that the Hill District experienced no fatalities during those critical days.
In 1972, Irvis gained national attention with a lawsuit against the Harrisburg, Pa., Moose Lodge for refusing him service. The case, Moose Lodge No. 107 v. Irvis, ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that as a private club, the Moose Lodge had the legal right to discriminate. However, within a year, Moose International Inc. quietly removed racial qualifications from its membership requirements.
Despite his significant contributions, Irvis did not receive the national recognition he deserved, partly due to the racial and political climate of his time. Nonetheless, his impact on Pennsylvania politics and his commitment to civil rights and education left a lasting legacy. Irvis’s achievements were recognized posthumously through various honors, including the renaming of the South Office Building of the state Capitol complex in Harrisburg in his honor in 2003.
Irvis’s connection with the University of Pittsburgh extended far beyond his alumni status. In 1961, he successfully blocked a state legislative effort to investigate Robert Colodny, a Pitt history professor who had fought with the Communist Abraham Lincoln Brigade during the Spanish Civil War. Five years later, Irvis sponsored legislation that designated the University as “state-related,” which qualified it for state subsidies and helped prevent a financial crisis. Alongside this, he insisted that Pitt keep tuition affordable to ensure access for economically disadvantaged students. The University of Pittsburgh has also named several programs and facilities in his name, including the K. Leroy Irvis Reading Room in Hillman Library and the K. Leroy Irvis Fellowships to enhance the academic excellence and diversity of the University of Pittsburgh's graduate student body, attract the most outstanding and diverse graduate students to Pitt’s doctoral programs and prepare students for academic and research careers.
Beyond his notable political achievements, Irvis proved to be a true Renaissance man with many interests and talents. He found joy in carving wooden sculptures, painting, and writing. In 1988, he published a poetry collection titled The Land of Fire. His artistic creations, including carved masks, sculptures, and even a few model airplanes, a hobby he enjoyed to build and fly, are proudly displayed in the K. Leroy Irvis Room at Hillman Library.
Irvis passed away on August 9, 2006, but his legacy endures through his contributions to legislation, his influence on education access, and his role in shaping American politics. His life is a testament to the power of perseverance, integrity, and service to the community, embodying the values he upheld throughout his career.