Hiram Rhodes Revels

Date of Birth: September 27, 1827

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: January 16, 1901

Biography

Hiram Rhodes Revels was an American politician, minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and a college administrator, known for being the first African American to serve in the U.S. Congress. He was born free in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on September 27, 1827. Revels was of mixed African and European ancestry and was educated in Indiana and Ohio. He became a preacher and educator, working in various states and engaging in the struggle for civil rights. Revels served in the Union Army during the Civil War, recruiting African American soldiers and working as a chaplain. After the war, he settled in Mississippi, where he became involved in Reconstruction politics. In 1870, he was elected by the Mississippi state legislature to the U.S. Senate, filling a seat that had been vacant since the state seceded in 1861. Revels’ tenure in the Senate was marked by his advocacy for civil rights and education. He supported the integration of schools and fought against racial discrimination. After his term ended in 1871, he returned to Mississippi, where he continued his work as an educator and minister. He served as the president of Alcorn University, a historically black college, and remained active in politics until his death on January 16, 1901.

5 Interesting Facts about Hiram Rhodes Revels

1. Hiram Rhodes Revels was the first African American to serve in the U.S. Congress.

2. Revels was a chaplain in the Union Army during the Civil War.

3. He was a strong advocate for the integration of schools and civil rights for African Americans.

4. Revels served as the president of Alcorn University in Mississippi.

5. He was of mixed African and European ancestry and was born free in North Carolina.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hiram Rhodes Revels

1. “I find that the prejudice in this country to color is very great and I sometimes fear that it is on the increase.”

2. “My people are hoping and trusting that the Republican Party will protect them in their rights.”

3. “The colored race can be made a more useful and productive part of the community by the means of education and Christianity.”

4. “I represent the whole human family.”

5. “We ask for equal rights, and are willing to perform equal duties.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Hiram Rhodes Revels’ highest net worth is not well-documented, but as a public servant and educator in the 19th century, he would not have amassed significant personal wealth.