Roy L. Prosterman advanced land rights for the poor

Roy L. Prosterman, a lawyer known for advocating land reform, died on February 27 at age 89 in Seattle. He founded a land-rights organization that worked in about 60 countries to help rural poor gain access to land. Prosterman shifted from corporate law to focus on land rights, believing they were essential for improving the lives of impoverished farmers. He collaborated with various governments to create programs that distributed land to peasant families. His efforts impacted millions, with his organization, Landesa, recognized for its role in promoting land access as a means to alleviate poverty in agrarian societies.