The Orator

Meet the Obama of the 1870s

Robert Brown Elliott, at right, was one of a group of talented black politicians swept into office by Reconstruction in the 1870s. Also pictured, from left: Senator Hiram Revels, and congressmen Benjamin Turner, Robert De Large, Josiah Walls, Jefferson Long, and Joseph Rainey.

(Getty Images) Robert Brown Elliott, at right, was one of a group of talented black politicians swept into office by Reconstruction in the 1870s. Also pictured, from left: Senator Hiram Revels, and congressmen Benjamin Turner, Robert De Large, Josiah Walls, Jefferson Long, and Joseph Rainey.

By Philip Dray

August 24, 2008

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WITH BARACK OBAMA stepping into history this week as the first African-American nominated for president by a major party, much has been made of the arrival of a new generation of black leadership. Obama, Governor Deval Patrick, Newark Mayor Corey Booker - all have broken new ground as mainstream politicians who speak across racial lines, capable of garnering votes from ... (Full article: 1028 words)