Camille Heung, Author at

Independent Historian

Camille Heung is an undergraduate student at the University of Washington. She is in the process of attaining a history degree and is also a student in the University of Washington Business School’s Retail Management Program. Her interests in diversity have led her to study African-American history, Jewish history and Asian history among others.

James Carroll Napier (1845-1940)

James Carroll Napier, a 19th century Nashville businessman and civil rights leader, was born near Nashville, Tennessee on June 9, 1845, to free parents William C. and Jane E. Napier. Napier attended a private school for free black children in Nashville and then in 1859 … Read MoreJames Carroll Napier (1845-1940)

Solomon Carter Fuller (1872-1953)

Solomon Carter Fuller, an early 20th century psychiatrist, researcher, and medical educator, was born on August 11, 1872 in Monrovia, Liberia. His parents, Solomon C. and Anna Ursilla (James) Fuller, were Americo-Liberians. Solomon Carter Fuller was the first African American psychiatrist. He also performed considerable … Read MoreSolomon Carter Fuller (1872-1953)

James P. Thomas (1827-1913)

James P. Thomas, a noted African American barber and businessman, was born in 1827 in Nashville, Tennessee. He was the mulatto son of a famous antebellum judge, John Catron (one of the justices in the Dred Scott case), and a slave mother, Sally Thomas, who … Read MoreJames P. Thomas (1827-1913)

Robert H. Terrell (1857-1925)

Robert Herberton Terrell, the first African American judge in Washington, D.C., was born in Charlottesville, Virginia on November 27, 1857 to Harris and Louisa Ann Terrell. The Terrells, an upper-middle class American family, sent their son to public schools in the District of Columbia and … Read MoreRobert H. Terrell (1857-1925)

Isaac Myers (1835-1891)

Isaac Myers, a labor leader and mason, was born in Baltimore on January 13, 1835. He was the son of free parents but grew up in a slave state. Myers received his early education from a private day school of a local clergyman, Rev. John … Read MoreIsaac Myers (1835-1891)

Albert I. Cassell (1895-1969)

Albert Irving Cassell, a prominent African American architect, planner, engineer, educator, and entrepreneur, was born on June 25, 1895, in Towson, Maryland. His parents were Albert and Charlotte Cassell. Albert’s father was a coal truck driver and trumpet player and his mother washed laundry to … Read MoreAlbert I. Cassell (1895-1969)

Peter Hill (1767-1820)

Peter Hill, a clockmaker, was born on July 19, 1767 in the Burlington Township, New Jersey. He is assumed to be the son of slaves owned by a clockmaker named Joseph Hollinshead, Jr. Peter Hill grew up in the Hollinshead household and as he grew … Read MorePeter Hill (1767-1820)

John E. Nail (1883-1947)

John E. (Jack) Nail, a successful Harlem, New York realtor, was born in New London, Connecticut in 1883. His parents, Elizabeth and John B. Nail, moved to New York City where the senior Nail bought a hotel, restaurant, and billiard parlor after working for a … Read MoreJohn E. Nail (1883-1947)

Ida Alexander Gibbs Hunt (1862-1957)

Ida Alexander Gibbs Hunt, teacher, Pan-Africanist and civil rights leader, was born on November 16, 1862 in Victoria, British Columbia. Her parents were Mifflin Wistar Gibbs and Maria Alexander. Ida Gibbs studied in the Oberlin Conservatory of Music from 1872 to 1876. She then went … Read MoreIda Alexander Gibbs Hunt (1862-1957)

Octavia Victoria Rogers Albert (1853-1890)

Octavia Victoria Rogers Albert, a 19th century author and religious leader, was born in December 25, 1853 in Oglethorpe, Georgia into slavery. She draws inspiration from that experience for her book The House of Bondage which was published after her death by her husband and … Read MoreOctavia Victoria Rogers Albert (1853-1890)