Abolitionist, social activist. Born to free, but poor, African-American parents in Salem, New Jersey, he became one of the nineteenth’s century’s great racial equality activists. Known for his brilliance and perseverance he had become a teacher, doctor and dentist all by the age of twenty-seven. While attending medical school in Philadelphia he gained a reputation for his dynamic speeches given on behalf of abolitionist causes. In 1853 he moved to Boston where he continued to be active in the anti-slavery and temperance movements. He used his medical skills to offer free health care services to fugitive slaves and his speaking skills to promote the freedom of the black race. In 1859, poor health forced him to give up his medical and dental practices, so he began to study law. Two years later he passed the bar exam and opened up his own practice. During the Civil War the attorney persuaded the Massachusetts legislature to form a black military company and he recruited soldiers for the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. However, his greatest achievement came in 1865, when he became the first African-American lawyer to be received on the floor of the US House of Representatives and the first black attorney to be admitted to practice law before the US Supreme Court. He continued his pursuit of racial equality until 1866 when he suddenly died at the age of forty-one.
Abolitionist, social activist. Born to free, but poor, African-American parents in Salem, New Jersey, he became one of the nineteenth’s century’s great racial equality activists. Known for his brilliance and perseverance he had become a teacher, doctor and dentist all by the age of twenty-seven. While attending medical school in Philadelphia he gained a reputation for his dynamic speeches given on behalf of abolitionist causes. In 1853 he moved to Boston where he continued to be active in the anti-slavery and temperance movements. He used his medical skills to offer free health care services to fugitive slaves and his speaking skills to promote the freedom of the black race. In 1859, poor health forced him to give up his medical and dental practices, so he began to study law. Two years later he passed the bar exam and opened up his own practice. During the Civil War the attorney persuaded the Massachusetts legislature to form a black military company and he recruited soldiers for the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. However, his greatest achievement came in 1865, when he became the first African-American lawyer to be received on the floor of the US House of Representatives and the first black attorney to be admitted to practice law before the US Supreme Court. He continued his pursuit of racial equality until 1866 when he suddenly died at the age of forty-one.
Bio by: Bigwoo
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