Chris Ott, Author at

Student Historian

Chris Ott graduated magna cum laude from University of Washington and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Teaching from the UW and hopes to be teaching high school social studies in the near future. His historical interests pertain to music, theater and other performing arts.

Archibald Grimke (1849-1930)

Archibald Grimke was a leading intellectual, activist, and author on racial equality in early 20th century America. Grimke was born into slavery in South Carolina on August 17, 1849, the son of Nancy Weston, a slave, and Henry Grimke, her owner. After his father’s death, … Read MoreArchibald Grimke (1849-1930)

Francis Grimké (1850–1937)

Francis Grimké was a Presbyterian minister and a leading advocate of civil rights. He was born to a wealthy landowner, Henry Grimké and his slave mistress Nancy Weston. After his father’s death in 1852, he moved to Charleston, South Carolina where he lived as a … Read MoreFrancis Grimké (1850–1937)

James A. Roston (1864-1924)

Lieutenant James A. Roston was a key organizer for the African American labor movement in Seattle in the early part of the 20th century. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1864. Roston was commissioned (from the District of Columbia) as a first lieutenant … Read MoreJames A. Roston (1864-1924)

William Nickerson (1879-1945)

William Nickerson, one of the founders of Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Co., was born in a log cabin in San Jacinto County, Texas in 1879. Nickerson was educated at Bishop College in Marshall, Texas. He worked briefly as a history teacher in public schools … Read MoreWilliam Nickerson (1879-1945)

Seattle School Boycott (1966)

On Thursday March 31 and Friday April 1, 1966, thousands of Seattle Public School students boycotted schools in the Central District, Seattle Washington’s African American community, to protest the de facto segregation that they believed was racially discriminatory. The students and their leaders felt that … Read MoreSeattle School Boycott (1966)

Edward L. Miles (1939-2016)

Edward Lancelot Miles, the Bloedel Professor Emeritus of Marine and Public Affairs at the University of Washington, Seattle, was a pioneer scientist in examining and establishing international environmental policy, particularly in the area of global climate change. He was born on December, 12, 1939 in Trinidad, … Read MoreEdward L. Miles (1939-2016)

Norman Oliver Houston (1893-1981)

Norman Oliver Houston was co-founder of the Golden State Mutual Insurance Co., the largest black-owned insurance company in the west. He was born in San Jose, California on October 16, 1893, and studied business administration at the University of California at Berkeley before being drafted … Read MoreNorman Oliver Houston (1893-1981)

Negro Repertory Company (Seattle) 1936-1939

The Negro Repertory Company (NRC) was established in 1936 by Florence and James Burton, directors of the Seattle Repertory Playhouse (SRP), as the Negro unit of the Federal Theatre Program, a part of the WPA. In its short life it produced ambitious and controversial plays … Read MoreNegro Repertory Company (Seattle) 1936-1939

Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company

Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company, the largest Black-owned insurance company in the west, was founded by William Nickerson, Jr., Norman Oliver Houston, and George Allen Beavers, Jr. On July 23, 1925, they opened as the Golden State Guarantee Fund Insurance Company in a one-room … Read MoreGolden State Mutual Life Insurance Company

Frank Waldron (1890-1955)

Frank Waldron was one of the most influential musicians and teachers in the first half of Seattle’s 20th century jazz scene. Waldron was born in San Francisco, California in 1890. By World War I he had moved to the Pacific Northwest and played music at … Read MoreFrank Waldron (1890-1955)