State Library Of Massachusetts Share Address Of William H. Lewis, Assistant Attorney General Of The United States, February 12, 1913

Press release from the State Library of Massachusetts:

February 1, 2021

Address Of William H. Lewis, Assistant Attorney General Of The United States, Before The Massachusetts House Of Representatives, Feb. 12, 1913 (1913 House Bill 1912)

This month’s Collection Spotlight is a printed copy of the “Address Of William H. Lewis, Assistant Attorney General Of The United States, Before The Massachusetts House Of Representatives, Feb. 12, 1913” (1913 House Bill 1912). William H. Lewis was the country’s first African-American Assistant Attorney General, and he spoke to the House in commemoration of both Abraham Lincoln’s birthday and the 50th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Lewis was a graduate of Amherst College and Harvard Law School, and was also an accomplished college football athlete and coach. He served in the MA House of Representatives from 1899 to 1902 (pictured with the Committee on Judiciary), and was the Assistant U.S. Attorney in Boston before he was appointed by President Taft as U.S. Assistant Attorney General in 1910. He was one of the first African-Americans admitted to the American Bar Association, and throughout his life he worked as a strong advocate speaking out against discrimination. In his address to the House, he extolled the virtues of Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation and praised the state of Massachusetts for its opportunities and ideals. But he did not turn a blind eye to racial injustice and inequality, and urged Massachusetts to lead the way in granting equality to all people in all aspects of society.

This Black History Month, we remember the trailblazing work of William H. Lewis and honor all that he accomplished.

Click here to read his address in its entirety.

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This press release was produced by the State Library of Massachusetts. The views expressed are the author's own.