The following biographical sketch was compiled at the time of induction into the Academy in 2021.

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John H. England Jr. was born in Uniontown, Alabama, and attended public schools in Birmingham. He graduated from Tuskegee Institute with a degree in chemistry in 1969 and the University of Alabama Law School in 1974. England received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Tuskegee University in October 1999.  He served two years in the U.S. Army as a military policeman.  

England began practicing law in Tuscaloosa in 1974.  In 1985, he won election to the Tuscaloosa City Council, where he served two terms and was chairman of the Finance and Community Development Committee. He was appointed by Gov. Jim Folsom to the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court in June 1993 and elected to a full term in November 1994. He served in that capacity until he was appointed by Gov. Don Siegelman to the Alabama Supreme Court in September 1999. England served on the Alabama Supreme Court from September 1999 until January 2001.  He returned to the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County in January 2001 and served until his retirement on January 18, 2021.

England served on the board of trustees for the University of Alabama System for twenty-three years. He currently serves on the board of trustees for Tuskegee University. He is a graduate of Leadership Alabama Class VI and currently serves on the board of directors for Leadership Alabama.  

England has also held leadership positions in numerous civic, professional, and social organizations on the local and state level. These positions include Temporary Emergency Services, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Jaycees, Tuscaloosa Exchange Club, Tuscaloosa Civitan Club, and the Tuscaloosa Tennis Club. He currently serves or has served in the past on the boards of directors of the following organizations: Boys and Girls Clubs, Tuscaloosa YMCA, Community Services Program of West Alabama, Theatre Tuscaloosa; Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, Black Warrior Council, Girl Scouts, 21st Century Youth Leadership, Good Samaritan Health Clinic, Easter Seals West Alabama, Alabama Civil Justice Foundation, West Alabama Aids Outreach; Elizabeth Project Care, Indian Rivers Mental Health Board, A Plus, and UAB Health System. England’s professional memberships include Alabama Circuit Judges Association (past president 2013—14), Tuscaloosa County Bar Association, Alabama State Bar, Alabama Lawyers Association (past state president 1988—89), and Alabama Lawyers Association Judicial Council (past chair until 2016). He has received numerous awards for his professional and community service from national, state, and local organizations, including the University of Alabama’s 2018 Sam W. Pipes Distinguished Alumnus Award. In 2019, the University of Alabama named a new campus dormitory in England’s honor.

England is a member of Bailey Tabernacle C.M.E. Church, where he serves as a trustee emeritus and is a member of the male chorus. He is the father of three children: John III, a U.S. magistrate judge in Birmingham; April England-Albright, an attorney in Atlanta; and Christopher, an assistant city attorney in Tuscaloosa and member of the Alabama House of Representatives. England has seven grandchildren: Ty, Jay, Jelani, Autumn, Kennedi, Alexandria, and Christopher Jr.

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