Man Archives - The Black History Room

Civil Rights & Activism

Frederick Douglass c. 1818–1895

He posed for more photos than Lincoln. On purpose.

Military

Robert Smalls 1839–1915

In 1862, an enslaved man stole a Confederate warship, and sailed his family to freedom.

Civil Rights & Activism

Muhammad Ali 1942–2016

They took his title for saying no.

Exploration

Matthew Henson 1866–1955

In 1909, he stood near the top of the world, and history almost forgot him.

Politics & Government

Mansa Musa

In 1324, an African king brought so much gold to Egypt that gold itself lost value.

Sports

Major Taylor 1878–1932

World's fastest cyclist, banned for being Black.

Sports

Jesse Owens 1913–1980

Four Olympic gold medals. Then he raced a horse, for money.

Sports

Jack Johnson 1878–1946

He was pardoned 72 years after he died.

Politics & Government

Hiram Revels 1827–1901

Mississippi sent America's first Black senator. In 1870.

Slavery & Emancipation

Henry “Box” Brown c. 1815–1897

In 1849, an enslaved man mailed himself to freedom.

Education

George Washington Carver c. 1864–1943

As a baby, he was traded for a horse.

Science, Medicine & Invention

Garrett Morgan 1877–1963

He walked into deadly gas. On purpose.