Who Was Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback?

Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback is known for being the first ever African American U.S. State Governor, although he accomplished much more throughout life. Not only did he have a family, he also had many political positions, such as Captain in the Union Army, State Senator and State Governor of Louisiana, and federal marshal. Pinchback was a man that fought to be respected in politics despite being racially discriminated and losing many battles due to racial bias and government corruption. Yet, he still managed to make his mark in Black History and Reconstruction.

Pinchback was born on May 10, 1837 by former slave Eliza Stewart in Macon, Georgia. He and his family moved to Ohio in 1848, after Pinchback’s father died, in hope to avoid enslavement.

His father’s death led to Pinchback having responsibility of supporting his family at the young age of 12. When he was 23, Pinchback married to Nina Hawthorne and went on to have four children.

In 1861, the Civil War began and Pinchback joined an all-white First Louisiana Volunteers, followed by leaving to join a black men group called Corps d’Afrique. He then served as Captain in the Second Louisiana Native Guard, although he chose to resign in 1863 due to the discrimination of his race. 1868 marked the year he became State Governor of Louisiana following his move to New Orleans. Pinckney Pinchback was a Republican. After the death of the current Louisiana Governor in 1871, Pinchback became the First US State Governor to be of Black descent and served from December 9th, 1872 to January 13th, 1873. During his time in office, he approved 10 legislative bills.

Ensuing his time as Governor, Pinchback was elected to congress in 1873 as well as won a seat in the US Senate. Unfortunately, he lost both the election and the seat which he was denied, in due part to the current racism and corruption in Louisiana. He continued to pursue politics, however, and worked in Washington DC for some time. Following this, at age 50 he chose to study law at Straight College and a few years later moved with his family to New York City where he became a federal marshal. Pinchback passed away on December 21st, 1921.