Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback
In memory of P.B.S. Pinchback, the first African
American governor in U.S. history. Pinchback,
Governor of Louisiana from Dec. 9, 1872 to Jan. 13,
1873, was born free on May 10, 1837. He was a
Union Army Officer during the Civil War. In 1868,
Pinchback won election to the Louisiana Senate,
which later named him president pro tem. One
of his bills created Southern Univ. He became
lieutenant governor when the incumbent died and
governor after Gov. Warmoth's impeachment. Elected
to the U.S. Senate and House, on challenge Congress
declined to seat him. Pinchback studied law; was
admitted to the bar. He died Dec. 21, 1921.