Royal Lee Bolling, Sr. | |
|---|---|
 Royal L. Bolling circa 1984 | |
| Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the Second Suffolk district | |
| In office 1983–1988 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Owens |
| Succeeded by | Bill Owens |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives | |
| In office 1971–1974 | |
| Preceded by | Michael E. Haynes |
| Succeeded by | Seat eliminated |
| In office 1961–1968 | |
| Preceded by | George Green / Oswald Jordan |
| Succeeded by | Seat eliminated |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 19, 1920 Dinwiddie County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | July 16, 2002 (aged 82) Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Thelma Greene Bolling |
| Children | Royal L. Bolling Jr. Bruce Bolling |
| Alma mater | Howard University Harvard University Boston University Law School |
Royal Lee Bolling (June 19, 1920 – July 16, 2002) was a Massachusetts politician and head of a prominent African-American political family. While serving in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1965, he sponsored the state's Racial Imbalance Act, which led to the desegregation of Boston's public schools.
Bolling was a decorated World War II veteran, earning a Silver Star as a member of the segregated "Buffalo Soldiers" 92nd infantry division. He was also the founder of a successful real estate business, which he ran for 50 years.