John Mercer Langston
John Mercer Langston, Virginia's first Black congressman, was born in Louisa County, Virginia.
- Profession
- Congressman, Attorney, Diplomat
- From
- Louisa County, Virginia
- Born
- December 14, 1829
- Years active
- 1854–1897
Early life
Born free in Louisa County in 1829 to a formerly enslaved mother and a white planter, Langston was educated at Oberlin College.
Career
He became one of the first African American lawyers, founded Howard University's law school, served as U.S. minister to Haiti, and was elected to Congress from Virginia in 1888.
Major achievements
He was among the first Black Americans elected to public office in the United States.
Legacy
A pioneering lawyer, diplomat and legislator, Langston paved the way for generations of Black public servants.
References
Related personalities
Arthur Ashe
Athlete · Activist
Arthur Ashe, the only Black man to win Wimbledon and the U.S. and Australian Opens, was born in Richmond, Virginia.
Carter Glass
Politician
Carter Glass, a U.S. senator and architect of the Federal Reserve, was born in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Eric Cantor
Politician
Eric Cantor of Richmond served as U.S. House Majority Leader, the highest congressional post held by a Jewish American.
George Mason
Politician
George Mason, author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, was a Founding Father born in Fairfax County, Virginia.