P. B. S. Pinchback

Common card · No. 223285

Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback (né Stewart; May 10, 1837 – December 21, 1921) was an American publisher, politician, and Union Army officer who served as the 24th governor of Louisiana from December 9, 1872, to January 13, 1873. Pinchback is commonly referred to as the first African American to serve as governor and the second to serve as lieutenant governor (after Oscar Dunn) in the United States. His recognition as the first African-American governor is disputed. Dunn served as acting governor for 39 days in 1871, more than a year before Pinchback served as acting governor, both temporarily replacing governor Henry C. Warmoth. A Republican, Pinchback served as acting governor of Louisiana for 35 days, during which ten acts of Legislature became law. He was one of the most prominent African-American officeholders during and following the Reconstruction Era. Pinchback was born free in Macon, Georgia, to Eliza Stewart and her master, William Pinchback, a white planter. His father raised...

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