Early Life and Education:
* Born in Boston, Massachusetts, to free African American parents.
* Attended the prestigious Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts.
* Graduated from Amherst College in 1864, where he was a standout student and orator.
* Studied law at Howard University and was admitted to the bar in 1865.
Political Career:
* Served as a delegate to the 1867 South Carolina Constitutional Convention, where he played a key role in drafting a constitution that established equal rights for African Americans.
* Elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives in 1868, representing South Carolina's 1st congressional district.
* Served three terms in Congress (1868-1871, 1875-1879).
* Championed civil rights legislation, including the passage of the Enforcement Acts of 1870 and 1871, which protected African Americans from violence and intimidation.
Advocacy for Civil Rights:
* Outspoken advocate for equal rights for African Americans.
* Argued before the Supreme Court in cases related to civil rights and voting rights.
* A founding member of the National Equal Rights League, a prominent civil rights organization.
Later Life and Legacy:
* After leaving Congress, he continued to practice law and advocate for civil rights.
* He was also involved in education and served as the president of the Colored National Educational Association.
* Died in Washington, D.C., in 1884.
Key Contributions:
* One of the first African American members of the United States Congress.
* Played a vital role in shaping Reconstruction-era legislation and promoting civil rights.
* His legal and political contributions significantly impacted the fight for equality in the United States.
Recognition:
* Robert B. Elliott has been recognized as a key figure in the history of African American civil rights and the Reconstruction era.
* His legacy continues to inspire generations of advocates for social justice.
Quotes:
* "The white man is not so much our enemy as our benefactor. He is the instrument of God for the advancement of the colored race."
* "The ballot is the only weapon by which we can successfully contend for our rights."