James Lewis, Author at

Independent Historian

James Lewis was raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He received a B.A from Kenyon College in history and an M.A from Pennsylvania State University in history. James has taught in independent for the last 13 years; teaching for the last 8 years at his alma mater University School in Cleveland, Ohio. James also coaches Lincoln-Douglas debate and has coached a debater to the Ohio state championship 3 times in the last 6 years.

William A. Jackson (1831/ 2(?)- )

William A. Jackson briefly gained notoriety in the early years of the Civil War as an escaped slave and spy. When the Civil War started, Jackson was held in bondage in Richmond, Virginia where he worked as a messenger in the courts and also drove … Read MoreWilliam A. Jackson (1831/ 2(?)- )

James Lewis (1832/33-1914)

James Lewis was born free on September 11 in either 1832 or 1833 in Woodville, Mississippi. Early in his life, he worked on steamboats that traveled between New Orleans and St. Louis. Later in life, Lewis recalled how he would use passes issued to him … Read MoreJames Lewis (1832/33-1914)

Meadow “Meadowlark” Lemon III (1932-2015)

Meadow “Meadowlark” Lemon III was most famous as the longtime star player of the Harlem Globetrotters. Lemon was born in Wilmington, North Carolina on April 25, 1932. He adopted the name “Meadowlark” while he was with the Harlem Globetrotters. Lemon attended Williston Industrial School in … Read MoreMeadow “Meadowlark” Lemon III (1932-2015)

Joseph E. Lee (1849-1920)

Reconstruction-Era Attorney Joseph E. Lee was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 15, 1849. Lee graduated from Howard University’s law school in 1873 and then moved to Florida where he was admitted to the state bar and became Jacksonville, Florida’s first African American lawyer. Lee, … Read MoreJoseph E. Lee (1849-1920)

William F. Powell (1848-1920)

William F. Powell, a late 19th Century politician, was born in Troy, New York on June 26, 1848. When he was young, his family moved to New York City where he attended public schools. Powell had a diverse education as a young man. He attended … Read MoreWilliam F. Powell (1848-1920)

Judson W. Lyons (1858-1924)

Politician and educator Judson W. Lyons was born on August 15, 1858 in Burke County, Georgia. In 1871, his family moved to Augusta, Georgia where Lyons was educated at the Augusta Institute. Lyons got involved in Republican Party politics as a young man, being selected … Read MoreJudson W. Lyons (1858-1924)

John P. Green (1845-1940)

Nineteenth-century politician John P. Green was born on April 2, 1845 in New Bern, North Carolina to free African Americans who were of mixed-race ancestry. His father John used his skills as a tailor to buy his freedom but died in 1850, which put the … Read MoreJohn P. Green (1845-1940)

Henry W. Furniss (1868-1955)

Henry W. Furniss built a distinguished career as a doctor and diplomat. Furniss served in the diplomatic corps, first in Brazil and then as the American ambassador to Haiti. He stayed in that post through two administrations after which he returned to the United States … Read MoreHenry W. Furniss (1868-1955)

Annie E. Brown (1862-1918)

Annie E. Brown gained fame as a Methodist Episcopal evangelist in the late 1800s and early 1900s, earning a national reputation among blacks and whites alike with her missionary work. While most of Brown’s work was done along the Atlantic seaboard, she traveled as far west as Denver, Colorado and … Read MoreAnnie E. Brown (1862-1918)