"There are many persons of color who might have had that distinction," Harper told The Crimson when he was appointed.

A 1962 graduate of historically black Howard University, Harper graduated from Harvard Law School in 1965. Ten years later he made partner at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, one of New York's most prominent law firms.

Harper has held a number of leadership positions in state and national legal organizations. He has also gained international prominence in the legal profession and has been associated with a number of international law organizations, including serving as a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague.

Throughout his career, Harper has been an outspoken advocate for diversity. As the President of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York from 1990-1992, he threw his weight behind efforts to change the composition of the city's federal bench.

In a Nov. 1990 speech to the association, Harper called for the bench to diversify but also spoke against hard and fast ratios for accomplishing that goal.

"It is admissible even to suggest that minority lawyers of the front rank are not available for judicial service," Harper told his audience. "The absence of adequate numbers of minorities on the bench illustrates a want of will by our appointing powers and political leaders, not a lack of adequate candidates."

If Harper's views on New York City's federal bench translate to Harvard, the University could be looking at some changes, although Harper says he will have to familiarize himself with the University before deciding how he stands on specific issues.

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