African-American Achievers
Click on the person you wish to learn about or scroll through the text below the selection table. Information on Martin Luther King is from linked pages.
Martin Luther King
1723 - 1770
Heroic Patriot
American Revolution
Merchant seaman who challenged the British soldiers and was first to be killed
in the Boston Massacre, the event which is cited as the beginning of the War of
Independence.
A Boston Commons monument was erected in his memory.
1731 - 1806
Mathematician
Astronomer
Inventor, scientist, engineer, and surveyor who assisted in developing plans for the city of
Washington, D.C.
Made the first striking clock with all American parts and compiled one of the first almanacs in
the United States.
1942
Astronaut
Aerospace engineer, one of the five man crew that flew the space shuttle Challenger into
outer-space in 1983.
Deployed a weather and communication satellite in space.
Received "The Distinguished National Scientist Award"
1904 - 1971
Diplomat
Nobel Prize for Peace
Political scientist, educator, and one of the significant American diplomats of the 20th
century.
Worked out the "Four Armistice Agreements" which resulted in a cease-fire in the 1949
Arab/Israeli conflict.
Under-Secretary of the UN (1955 - 1971).
1864 - 1943
Scientist
Agricultural Chemist
One of the world's greatest scientists: Used scientific techniques to save Southern agriculture.
Developed over 600 different products from peanuts and sweet potatoes.
Created new Southern industries and thousands of new jobs.
1912 -
Lietentant General
U.S. Air Force
West Point Graduate: Led the Black Air Corps Unit, the 99th Fighter Squadron, in the European
theater in World War II.
Winner of the Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Silver Star for personal bravery during World War II.
Commanded Godman Field in Kentucky.
1904 - 1950
Scientist, Blood Plasma Pioneer
Doctor and scientist who developed a process for separation and perserving blood.
His blood banks helped save thousands of lives during World War II.
Served as the Chief Surgeon and Chief of Staff at Freedman's Hospital.
1866 - 1955
Artic Explorer
Adventurer skilled in handling Eskimo Husky dogs.
In 1909 became the first person to place an American flag on the North Pole.
In 1945 wrote "A Negro Explorer at the North Pole."
1899 - 1975
Chemist
Glaucoma Treatment
Extracted an ingredient from the soybean to help relieve arthritis.
Formed his own Laboratories to produce cortisone at a price that millions
of arthritis sufferers could afford.
Worked on 86 patents and developed a drug to treat an eye disease.
1848 - 1928
Engineer
Pioneer in Electrical Lighting
Was a member of the elite group of scientists and engineers called the "Edison Pioneers".
Invented an incandescent light bulb.
Worked with Alexander Graham Bell and prepared original drawings for Bell telephone patents.
1856 - 1900
Bronco Buster
Famous cowboy from Tennessee who helped open up the Western frontier.
Called "Deadwood Dick" after winning several roping and shooting contests at a
1876 rodeo in the Dakota Territory.
Wrote a full-length autobiography.
1908 - 1993
U.S. Supreme Court Justice
One of America's greatest Constitutional lawyers; NAACP counsel: known as "Mr. Civil Rights."
Led the battle for the 1954 Supreme Court "Brown vs. Board of Education" decision on school
desegegation.
Former U.S. Solicitor General.
1852 - 1889
Inventor
Shoe Lasting Machine
Revolutionized the shoe industry by inventing a machine which mechanically attached
the "uppers" to the soles of shoes.
Greatly increased shoe production and saved the shoe industry millions of dollors.
1843 - 1929
Inventor
Automatic Machine Lubricators
Mechanical engineer who inved the Drip Cup ("The Real McCoy") which
revolutionized engine lubrication.
Was granted patents for 57 inventions including one for a lawn sprinker.
Established a manufacturing company.
1877 - 1963
His "safety helmut," which was patented in 1912, was used by the Allied Forces in World War I and
is the prototype of the modern gas mask used by fire departments and emergency rescue squads.
In 1923, he patented the three-color electric traffic signal that now stands on almost every street
corner worldwide. He also invented an attachment that improved the efficiency of the sewing
machine.
1806 - 1894
Scientist
Suger Refining Process
World famous enginer and inventor: Developed a vacuum pan that revolutionized
the method of refining sugar.
Reduced the time, cost, and safety risk involved in producing granulated sugar while
improving its quality.
1862 - 1931
Journalist
Anti-Lynching Crusader
Investigative reporter; publisher of "The Red Record"; editor of the Memphis
"Free Speech"; Crusaded against organized violence and effectively used the press to expose
the harsh injustices faced by African-Americans.
Worked to organize the Negro Fellowship League and the NAACP.
1856 - 1931
Pioneer
Open Heart Surgery
Surgeon who performed the first successful open heart operation. Repaired a severely damaged
heart without the use of drugs or blood transfusions.
Founded The Provident Hospital in Chicago and organized a training center for Black nurses.
1856 - 1910
Inventor
Induction Telegraph
Invented a steam boiler furnance, an incubator, an automatic air brake, and over 15 devices
critical for electic railway systems.
Most famous for a telegraph system which reduced train collisions by allowing moving trains
to transmit message to each other.
Please pardon the dust. This is under construction! -- JJH