Born Joseph Louis Barrow in Lexington, Alabama. Married Martha Jefferson March 11, 1959. They had three children.

Louis was known as "The Brown Bomber." He was Detroit Golden Gloves Champion in 1932 and amateur light heavyweight champion in 1934. He won the world heavyweight boxing championship in 1937, defended his title 25 times and retired as champion in March 1949. He held the title longer and defended it more times than any other boxer. He was later employed as a greeter at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. He died in Las Vegas.

Louis was honored by Congress with a gold medal by act of Congress August 26, 1982. Obverse was by Michael Iacocco; reverse was by Edgar Steever. The gold medal was presented to his widow by President Reagan May 11, 1984. Bronze copies of the 38 mm medal (USM 667) were sold by the mint.

bio: EAB; WWA 78; Who's Who Among Black Americans 77; WAB obit: NYT 4/13/81