Albert Simons, Jr. was born in Charleston on November 20, 1918 and died on January 7, 1998. His father and namesake was probably Charleston’s best known architect and architectural historian during the 20th century, and his mother was the first president of the League of Women Voters in South Carolina. Simons became known as “Fish” as a small boy and was known by that name throughout his life. He graduated from the High School of Charleston at the age of 15, attended the College of Charleston for one year and then entered Princeton. Following his graduation from Princeton, he entered Yale Law School. At the end of his first year of law school, he joined the Army as an artillery officer and fought in the Italy campaign where he received the Bronze Star.
After World War II he returned to Yale Law School and graduated in 1948. Later that year he joined Huger Sinkler and Charles Gibbs in a firm which became known as Sinkler, Gibbs & Simons. During his 40 year practice, he earned a national reputation in the field of public finance specializing in bond issues throughout South Carolina. He served on Charleston City Council and for sixteen years was on the Charleston County Board of Assessment Control. He was married to Carolina Mitchell, the daughter and granddaughter of prominent Charleston lawyers, and they had three sons and one daughter.
Fish Simons was known for his professional integrity and his genuine kindness and modesty.