Attorney. Civil rights soldier. Author. Historian.

J.L. Chestnut has died, according to relatives who called The Selma Times-Journal Tuesday morning around 10 a.m. The relatives said he died at a Birmingham hospital.

City councilwoman Jean Martin recalled “Chess” and she had become friends more than 25 years ago when she began writing for the newspaper. “He was a friend,” she said. “He loved an argument. But he was a good friend.”

More details as they develop.