BLACK IN TIME: A Moment In OUR History

John Mercer Langston

John Mercer Langston

The Man Credited With Being America’s First Black Elected Official, John Mercer Langston, Was Born December 14, 1829, In Louisa County, Virginia.

The Son Of A Virginia Planter And Slave Mother, Langston Was Freed At Age Five. After Graduating Oberlin College In Ohio In 1849, He Became One Of Ohio’s Prominent Black Leaders. He Was Elected To Local Offices In Brownhelm Township, Ohio (1855) And Oberlin (1865-67).

After The Civil War, Langston Moved To Washington, DC And Practiced Law. He Also Served Simultaneously, As Dean Of The Law School (1869-77) And Vice-President (1872-76), At Howard University.

During The Next Eight Years Langston Was Consul-General To Haiti And President Of Virginia Normal And Collegiate Institute.

After A Controversial Election (For A Seat In The U.S. House Of Representatives), That Took Two Years To Sort Out, Langston Became The First Black Elected To Congress From Virginia, On September 23. 1890. He Served Until March 3, 1891.

John Mercer Langston Died November 15, 1897. In His Honor, Oklahoma’s Langston University And Danville, Virginia’s Langston High School Are Named For Him.

“In Order For Black History To Live, We Must Continue To Breathe Life Into It.” — Hubert Gaddy, Jr.

Hugh Gaddy

Create Your Badge