Henry J. Richardson

Henry J. "Hank" Richardson, III, "The Father of Black Traditions of International Law" and Professor Emeritus at the Beasley School of Law at Temple University, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2025, at 84 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Dana Martin Richardson, his brother, Rodney Richardson, Esq., his step-daughter, Eden Johnson, and numerous cousins. Henry was predeceased by his parents, Roselyn Comer Richardson and Henry J. Richardson, Jr., Esq., as well as his former wife, Renee Francine Poussaint. Henry was a renowned scholar of international law, a leading figure in African affairs, and an esteemed educator and mentor. "Hank," as he was called by many, loved basketball and was an avid collector of books. He was a loyal friend, devoted brother, and loving husband.
As a child, Henry Richardson began his lifelong advocacy for justice as an early participant in the integration of Indianapolis public schools, having inherited his parents' legacy of human rights activism. After graduating from Yale Law School, he served as the International Legal Adviser to the Malawian government, playing a key role in shaping its post-independence legal framework and regional diplomatic strategies. He later earned an LL.M. in International Law from the University of California, where he served as Resident Africanist at Law. From there, he became a leading academic on African legal issues, and held influential roles in U.S. foreign policy, including being one of the first people of color to serve on the National Security Council (under President Jimmy Carter) and as Legal Advisor to the Congressional Black Caucus and General Counsel at the Department of Defense.
Professor Richardson taught at the Indiana University School of Law before joining the faculty of Temple University's Beasley School of Law in 1981, where he would go on to inspire generations of students. His teaching, scholarship, and mentorship were grounded in a vision of law that transcended borders and championed the rights of marginalized peoples. During his years at Temple, Professor Richardson was a leading scholar of international law who focused on racial and global justice and mentored scores of legal educators in his field. His work explored the connections between international law, African Americans, African development, and the anti-apartheid movement, while also contributing significantly to critical race theory and Third World Approaches to International Law. He played a key role in founding the Blacks of the American Society of International Law in 2014 to amplify Black voices in the field. His core scholarly legacy is his book The Origins of African-American Interests in International Law, which emphasizes the importance of re-centering Africans and African Americans in international legal discourse, particularly in human rights, and the necessity of engaging international law in addressing slavery and the slave trade.
Over a lifetime dedicated to scholarship, diplomacy, and justice, Professor Richardson left an indelible mark on the global legal landscape and forever changed the lives of all who had the privilege to know him.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Temple Law School Henry J. Richardson III Award for International Human Rights Law and Justice, or the Racial Justice Committee at Foundry United Methodist Church.
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