From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

7434.jpg

Madison, Cecil R., Sr.

(born: 1943) 

Cecil R. Madison, Sr. was born in Lexington, KY. In 1968, he became the first African American employed full-time at the University of Kentucky (UK) Libraries; he was employed by the library system for 36 continuous years.

Cecil was first a supply clerk, then advanced to become one of the highest ranking staff members in the library. In 2004 he became the first nominee from the library to receive the UK Lyman T. Johnson Alumni "Torch of Excellence Award."

Prior to joining the library, Cecil was one of the original members of the Lexington Chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), serving as secretary from 1959-1962. He is a graduate of old Dunbar High School in Lexington and also attended Kentucky State University. Cecil Madison retired from the University of Kentucky Libraries in December 2005.

For more information, see University of Kentucky Libraries' Off the Shelf, November 2004.

Relation

Image in Entry: Photograph of Cecil R. Madison, Sr. being recognized at the Kentucky House Chamber in 2005. From the left: House Speaker Jody Richards; Cecil R. Madison, Sr., UK Libraries; and Kentucky Representative Jesse Crenshaw. This photograph was taken in the House Chamber. Image available in ExploreUK.

Kentucky County & Region

Read about Fayette County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Kentucky Place (Town or City)

Read about Lexington, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Item Relations

Cited in this Entry

NKAA Entry: Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (Lexington, KY)

Related Entries Citing this Entry

NKAA Entry: Maull, Teresa

Cite This NKAA Entry:

“Madison, Cecil R., Sr.,” Notable Kentucky African Americans Database, accessed October 11, 2026, https://nkaa.uky.edu/nkaa/items/show/772.

Last modified: 2026-09-09 17:36:50