Alys Beverton, Author at

Independent Historian

Alys Beverton is an undergraduate at the University of Sussex, England, with a particular interest in African American history. She is currently attending the University of Washington, Seattle, as an exchange student for one year. Upon completion of her degree in 2010, she hopes to continue on in academics and pursue a master’s degree in American history.

Alexandre Dumas (Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie), (1802-1870)

A Tale of Three Dumas Minidoc Alexandre Dumas père, prolific playwright, novelist, travel writer and historian, was born on the 24th July 1802 to Marie Louise Labouret and her husband Thomas Alexandre Davy de la Pailleterie, who was a military general under Napoleon I. … Read More

Edgardo Ortuno (1970- )

Edgardo Ortuno, Afro-Uruguayan professor, politician, and activist for human rights and equal opportunities, was born on June 10, 1970 in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo. Ortuno’s childhood experiences had a profound impact on his adult life. Growing up as an Afro-Uruguayan in a country where … Read MoreEdgardo Ortuno (1970- )

Julia May Porter Carson (1938-2007)

Julia May Porter Carson, one of the first African American women to represent Indiana in Congress, was born Julia May Porter on July 8, 1938. She was born in Louisville, Kentucky, but in her early childhood she moved with her mother to Indianapolis, Indiana, where … Read MoreJulia May Porter Carson (1938-2007)

Alexander “Al” Green (1947 – )

Alexander “Al” Green, Congressional representative of the 9th District of Houston, Texas and long time civil rights advocate, was born on 1st September 1947. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Green attended Florida A&M University in 1971 and later Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University). … Read MoreAlexander “Al” Green (1947 – )

Andre Carson (1974- )

Andre Carson, an African American politician and only the second Muslim to be elected to the U.S. Congress, was born on October 16, 1974 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Carson attended Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis where he developed a passion for law enforcement and for … Read MoreAndre Carson (1974- )

Prince Rogers Nelson (“Prince,” “The Artist Formerly Known As Prince”) (1958-2016)

Prince Rogers Nelson, songwriter, singer, producer, and all-round musical icon, was born on June 7, 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Music was a part of Prince’s family; his father, John Nelson, was a jazz pianist whose stage name was Prince Rogers, and his mother, Mattie Nelson, … Read MorePrince Rogers Nelson (“Prince,” “The Artist Formerly Known As Prince”) (1958-2016)

Raphael “Ray” Taliaferro (1939-2018)

Taliaferro, the first black talk show host on a major American radio station, was born on February 7, 1939 and grew up in the Hunters Point district of San Francisco. His talk radio career began in 1967 at San Francisco’s KNEW station and shortly thereafter … Read MoreRaphael “Ray” Taliaferro (1939-2018)

Crystal Bird Fauset (1894-1965)

Crystal Bird Fauset, the first African-American female state legislator in the United States, was born on June 27, 1894 in Princess Anne, Maryland. She grew up in Boston, Massachusetts but spent most of her adult and political life in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Between 1914 and 1918 … Read MoreCrystal Bird Fauset (1894-1965)

Samora Moises Machel (1933-1986)

Samora Machel, the first president of independent Mozambique, was born on September 29, 1933, in the village of Chilembene, in the Gaza Province of Mozambique. He was of the Shangana ethnic group and was born into a family of farmers. Machel attended a Catholic mission … Read MoreSamora Moises Machel (1933-1986)

Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane (1920-1969)

Eduardo Mondlane, an educator, nationalist, and leader of the Mozambique independence movement, was born on June 20, 1920, in the Gaza District of Southern Mozambique, which at the time was under the colonial rule of the Portuguese. He was the child of a Tsonga chief, … Read MoreEduardo Chivambo Mondlane (1920-1969)