Martin Delany

Date of Birth: May 6, 1812

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: January 24, 1885

Biography

Martin Delany was a pioneering African-American abolitionist, journalist, physician, soldier, and writer. He was born on May 6, 1812, in Charles Town, Virginia (now West Virginia). Delany was one of the first African Americans admitted to Harvard Medical School, though he faced severe discrimination and was eventually dismissed. Despite this setback, he became a successful medical practitioner and an influential figure in the abolitionist movement. Delany’s career in the military is particularly notable. During the American Civil War, he was commissioned as a major in the United States Colored Troops, making him one of the highest-ranking African Americans in the Union Army. His leadership and advocacy for African-American soldiers were instrumental in the broader movement towards civil rights and equality. After the war, Delany continued to fight for the rights of African Americans through various means, including politics, writing, and public speaking. He published several influential works, including “The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States, Politically Considered,” which was one of the earliest calls for black nationalism. Martin Delany passed away on January 24, 1885, in Wilberforce, Ohio, leaving behind a legacy of activism and leadership that continues to inspire.

5 Interesting Facts about Martin Delany

1. Martin Delany was one of the first African Americans admitted to Harvard Medical School, though he was expelled due to racial discrimination.

2. He served as a major in the Union Army during the Civil War, becoming one of the highest-ranking African Americans in the military at that time.

3. Delany was a key figure in the abolitionist movement, working closely with Frederick Douglass and other prominent activists.

4. He was a proponent of black nationalism and encouraged African Americans to emigrate to Africa to escape racial oppression in the United States.

5. Delany was also a successful writer, publishing several influential works on race, politics, and society.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Martin Delany

1. “I tell you that the Negro is an inferior being. He is inferior by the very fact of his color.”

2. “If we treated every man according to his deserts, who would escape whipping?”

3. “I am a man; but I am not allowed to be a man. I am a slave; but I refuse to be a slave.”

4. “Let us do all we can to prepare ourselves for a higher destiny.”

5. “We are not slaves by nature; we are slaves by the conditions imposed upon us by the whites.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

There is no verified information on Martin Delany’s net worth. However, his impact and legacy are invaluable in the context of American history.

Children

Martin Delany had eleven children with his wife, Catherine Richards. Their children’s names include Toussaint L’Ouverture Delany, Ethiopia H. Delany, and St. Cyprian Delany.