On November 24, 1874, Robert Brown Elliott, a distinguished African American politician and orator, was elected Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives. This achievement marked a significant milestone during the Reconstruction era, reflecting Elliott’s leadership and the increasing political engagement of African Americans in the post-Civil War South. ?House History Archives

Born on August 11, 1842, in Liverpool, England, Elliott moved to South Carolina in 1867. He quickly became an influential figure in state politics, serving as a delegate to the 1868 constitutional convention and as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1868 to 1870. Elliott was also elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1870, serving until his resignation on November 1, 1874, when he returned to state politics. ?

As Speaker from 1874 to 1876, Elliott played a pivotal role in advocating for civil rights and combating the pervasive influence of groups like the Ku Klux Klan. His tenure exemplified the strides African Americans were making in political representation during Reconstruction. However, with the end of Reconstruction and the resurgence of white Democratic control in South Carolina, Elliott’s political career waned. He passed away on August 9, 1884, in New Orleans, Louisiana.