Joseph Rainey

South Carolina tailor who in 1870 became the first Black member of the House of Representatives.

Overview

Born enslaved in Charleston, Rainey was drafted into Confederate service, escaped to Bermuda, and returned to win election to Congress in 1870, taking his seat in December. He served until 1879, longer than any Black lawmaker of the Reconstruction era, defending the Enforcement Acts against Klan violence, advocating civil rights legislation, and supporting tariff protection for his district's timber and rice. In 1874 he became the first Black member to preside over the House during debate. He spoke often against northern indifference as Reconstruction collapsed.