C.T. Vivian, civil rights activist and former field general for Martin Luther King Jr, dies at 95

The Rev. C.T. Vivian, the longtime civil rights activist who served as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s field general during the civil rights movement, has died at the age of 95.

His friend and business partner Don Rivers confirmed that Vivian died at his home in Atlanta on Friday, The Associated Press reported.

A Baptist minister and member of King’s inner circle of advisers, Vivian was the national director for over 80 affiliate chapters of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference from 1963-1966.

In addition to coordinating community development projects and voter registration, he also led sit-ins in segregated cities such as Selma and Birmingham, Ala., and Jackson, Miss.

“He has always been one of the people who had the most insight, wisdom, integrity and dedication,” Andrew Young, who also worked alongside King, told the AP.

Vivian was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor, by former President Obama in 2013.