John Mercer Langston was an esteemed, African-American lawyer and politician who made groundbreaking strides in the African-American community. Throughout his life, Langston held many esteemed positions in state, local, and national government, in addition to serving his community as an educator and helping to run colleges. Because of his contributions in politics, education, and achieving equal rights, John Mercer Langston was one of the most influential African-Americans of his time. He had a huge impact on the country.
Born free in Virginia to a wealthy, white planter, Langston had to deal with the deaths of both his parents when he was only five. He then moved to live in Ohio with a family friend, where he spent the rest of his childhood. …show more content…
He began his political career by speaking for Frederick Douglass at the Ohio conventions, where he encouraged people to aid fugitive slaves. He then was elected the town clerk of Brownhelm Township, Ohio, becoming the first black man to hold elected office in the state. He continued his emerging political career by working on the Oberlin city council and then the Freedmen’s Bureau, gaining fame and political traction. He used this momentum to run for the US House of Representatives from Virginia’s fourth district. Even though Langston was denied the Republican Party nomination because of white resistance, he ran as an independent and was ultimately successful, despite personal attacks from Frederick Douglas and attempts to sabotage the election, becoming the first African American to serve as a congressman from Virginia. However, because the result of the election initially showed Edward Venable to be the winner due to a sabotage of the election, Langston was only able to serve about seven months in Congress after his appeal was finally granted. While holding office, both in local and national levels, he spent a great deal of time working for equality for African Americans. He gave numerous antislavery speeches, spoke on various civil rights issues, assisted in the Underground Railroad, helped create antislavery societies, and even recruited and organized …show more content…
He began his work in the field by serving on Oberlin’s board of education shortly after his time as town clerk of Brownhelm. He then spent his time in the Freedmen’s Bureau working as an educational inspector before helping to create a law school and becoming a professor at Howard University. He stayed at Howard for many years, becoming the dean of the law school, vice president, and eventually president of the college for a short period of time. After some time away from education, he was appointed the president of the new Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute, where he experienced success for about two years. In addition to holding positions in education, Langston also spent much time attempting to increase the number of African Americans getting an education. He had a huge impact on the world of education in his time.
In conclusion, John Mercer Langston was hugely important politician and educator who achieved great accomplishments for the African American community. Through his work in civil rights and trailblazing paths for black men in politics, Langston left a giant, positive imprint on the country. He was among the most influential of his
Born free in Virginia to a wealthy, white planter, Langston had to deal with the deaths of both his parents when he was only five. He then moved to live in Ohio with a family friend, where he spent the rest of his childhood. …show more content…
He began his political career by speaking for Frederick Douglass at the Ohio conventions, where he encouraged people to aid fugitive slaves. He then was elected the town clerk of Brownhelm Township, Ohio, becoming the first black man to hold elected office in the state. He continued his emerging political career by working on the Oberlin city council and then the Freedmen’s Bureau, gaining fame and political traction. He used this momentum to run for the US House of Representatives from Virginia’s fourth district. Even though Langston was denied the Republican Party nomination because of white resistance, he ran as an independent and was ultimately successful, despite personal attacks from Frederick Douglas and attempts to sabotage the election, becoming the first African American to serve as a congressman from Virginia. However, because the result of the election initially showed Edward Venable to be the winner due to a sabotage of the election, Langston was only able to serve about seven months in Congress after his appeal was finally granted. While holding office, both in local and national levels, he spent a great deal of time working for equality for African Americans. He gave numerous antislavery speeches, spoke on various civil rights issues, assisted in the Underground Railroad, helped create antislavery societies, and even recruited and organized …show more content…
He began his work in the field by serving on Oberlin’s board of education shortly after his time as town clerk of Brownhelm. He then spent his time in the Freedmen’s Bureau working as an educational inspector before helping to create a law school and becoming a professor at Howard University. He stayed at Howard for many years, becoming the dean of the law school, vice president, and eventually president of the college for a short period of time. After some time away from education, he was appointed the president of the new Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute, where he experienced success for about two years. In addition to holding positions in education, Langston also spent much time attempting to increase the number of African Americans getting an education. He had a huge impact on the world of education in his time.
In conclusion, John Mercer Langston was hugely important politician and educator who achieved great accomplishments for the African American community. Through his work in civil rights and trailblazing paths for black men in politics, Langston left a giant, positive imprint on the country. He was among the most influential of his