Hiram R. Revels
Hiram Rhodes Revels (September 27, 1827 – January 16, 1901) was an American Republican politician, minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and a college administrator. Born free in North Carolina, he later lived and worked in Ohio, where he voted before the Civil War. Elected by the Mississippi legislature to the United States Senate as a Republican to represent Mississippi in 1870 and 1871 during the Reconstruction era, he was the first African American to serve in either house of the U.S. Congress.
The Reverend Hiram R. Revels | |
|---|---|
| United States Senator from Mississippi | |
| In office February 25, 1870 – March 3, 1871 | |
| Preceded by | Albert G. Brown |
| Succeeded by | James L. Alcorn |
| 19th Secretary of State of Mississippi | |
| In office December 30, 1872 – September 1, 1873 | |
| Governor | Ridgely C. Powers |
| Preceded by | James D. Lynch |
| Succeeded by | Hannibal C. Carter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Hiram Rhodes Revels September 27, 1827 Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | January 16, 1901 (aged 73) Aberdeen, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Phoebe Bass |
| Children | 8, including Susie Revels Cayton, and Ida Revels Redmond |
| Education |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
|
| Branch/service | Union Army |
| Years of service | 1863–1865 |
| Unit | Chaplain Corps |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
During the American Civil War, Revels had helped organize two regiments of the United States Colored Troops and served as a chaplain. After serving in the Senate, Revels was appointed as the first president of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Alcorn State University), a historically black college. He served from 1871 to 1873. Later in his life, he served again as a minister.