Freedom's Lawmakers: A Directory of Black Officeholders During Reconstruction

by Eric Foner

Overview

With Freedom's Lawmakers, Eric Foner has assembled the first comprehensive directory of the over 1,500 African Americans who held political office in the South during the Reconstruction era. He has compiled an impressive amount of information about the antebellum status, occupations, property ownership, and military service of these officials — who range from U.S. congressmen to local justices of the peace and constables. This revised paperback edition also contains new material on forty-five officials who were not included in the first edition.In his Introduction, Foner ably analyzes and interprets the roles of the black American officeholders. Concise biographies, in alphabetical order, trace the life histories of individuals — many previously unknown — who played important parts in the politics of the period. This useful and informative volume also includes an index by state, by occupation, by office during Reconstruction, by birth status, and by topic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807120828
Publisher:	Louisiana State University Press
Publication date:	08/01/1996
Edition description:	revised edition
Pages:	346
Sales rank:	1,146,859
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.72(d)

About the Author

Eric Foner is DeWitt Clinton Professor of History at Columbia University. He is the author of, among other works, Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, winner of the Bancroft Prize, and Nothing but Freedom: Emancipation and Its Legacy.

Editorial Reviews

A compilation of concise biographical data on some 1,400 Black public officials of the Reconstruction era (1865-1877). Foner draws on growing research in this area to portray the diversity of these lawmakers' life experience, and to dispel dogged myths as to their fitness for office. An ample (21 p.) introduction provides an overview; five indexes offer access by state, occupation, birth status (free or slave), office held, and topic. Over 100 photographs (b&w), and 16 tables enhance this valuable document. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews