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Extraordinary African-Americans: From Colonial to Contemporary Times
Presents short biographies of ninety-five black Americans from colonial to contemporary times, highlighting their personal achievements and their resulting contributions to the growth of American society.
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 22, 2021
Excellent.
March 12, 2021
Lucy Terry Prince (1733-1821): poet who wrote "The Bar's Fight"
She was kidnapped at age 5 in Africa and sent to be a slave in Deerfield. She married Abijah Prince, an ex-slave who had gained his freedom after serving in the French and Indian War. Shortly after he purchased her freedom. They had 6 kids, two of whom fought in the Revolutionary War. She went to court multiple times when neighbors tried to claim her land and she won.
Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable (1745-1818): Frontier Trader, Founder of Chicago
It's generally believed that DuSable was born in Saint Domingue (now Haiti) about 1745 to an African woman and a French merchant-sailor. After working for a time as a seaman on his father's ships, DuSable went to France to be educated. There he developed a love for European art. He traveled to New Orleans where he worked as a trapper and fur trader. When the British began harassing people of French background, he moved farther north. In 1769, while on a trip to Canada, DuSable stopped at a place the Potawatomi Indians called "Checagou". recognizing the unique adantages offered by Checagou's location, he set up a trading post on the marshy shores of the river. Checagou later flourished and became known as Chicago. Today, it is one of the world's greatest centers of trade and commerce. DuSable's trading post prospered, in part, because he was able to speak English, french, Spanish, and several Native American languages. He developed a special relationship with various Indian grouups living in thhe Illinois territory. His wife Catherine, who was a Potawatomi Indian. Then in 1800, for reasons unknown, he sold his Chicago properties for only $1,200 and moved to st. Charles, Missouri, where his granddaughter lived. He died there in 1818, almost penniless.
Crispus Attucks (1723-1770): Sailor, Patriot
"The first to defy and the first to die" - Boston Massacre
Born a slave of African and Natick Indian heritage, Attucks ran away from his owner when he was 27 years old. He signed on as a sailor for 20 years. While at sea, he taught himself to read and write.
Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806): Inventor, Mathematician, Astronomer, Surveyor
Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784): Poet
An african-born woman who was kidnapped by slave traders wwhen she was about 8 years old and brought to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1761. She learned English quickly and was taught to read. When she was 14, she began writing poetry. When he owner was very ill, he freed Wheatley and sent her to England. She published "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral". Wheatley returned to her former mistress when Wheatley heard that she was ill. She cared for her and remained with the family. Wheatley wrote a poem about Washington which he asked Wheatley to visit him. When her previous owner died, she was forced to elave. Shortly thereafter, she married John Peters. He was frequently away, and the marriage was unhappy. Although in ill health, Wheatley had to work as a servant to support herself. Two of her three children died shortly after they were born. On Dec 5, 1784, Wheatley passed away at age 31. Her third child died the same day.
Peter Salem (1750-1816): Revolutionary War Soldier:
At the Battle of Bunker Hill, Salem shot British officer, Major John Pitcairn, after he said "The day is ours!" (Pitcairn was encouraging his men to charge a third time after the two previous attempts they were forced back). The British won the fight when the Americans' ammunition ran out.
She was kidnapped at age 5 in Africa and sent to be a slave in Deerfield. She married Abijah Prince, an ex-slave who had gained his freedom after serving in the French and Indian War. Shortly after he purchased her freedom. They had 6 kids, two of whom fought in the Revolutionary War. She went to court multiple times when neighbors tried to claim her land and she won.
Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable (1745-1818): Frontier Trader, Founder of Chicago
It's generally believed that DuSable was born in Saint Domingue (now Haiti) about 1745 to an African woman and a French merchant-sailor. After working for a time as a seaman on his father's ships, DuSable went to France to be educated. There he developed a love for European art. He traveled to New Orleans where he worked as a trapper and fur trader. When the British began harassing people of French background, he moved farther north. In 1769, while on a trip to Canada, DuSable stopped at a place the Potawatomi Indians called "Checagou". recognizing the unique adantages offered by Checagou's location, he set up a trading post on the marshy shores of the river. Checagou later flourished and became known as Chicago. Today, it is one of the world's greatest centers of trade and commerce. DuSable's trading post prospered, in part, because he was able to speak English, french, Spanish, and several Native American languages. He developed a special relationship with various Indian grouups living in thhe Illinois territory. His wife Catherine, who was a Potawatomi Indian. Then in 1800, for reasons unknown, he sold his Chicago properties for only $1,200 and moved to st. Charles, Missouri, where his granddaughter lived. He died there in 1818, almost penniless.
Crispus Attucks (1723-1770): Sailor, Patriot
"The first to defy and the first to die" - Boston Massacre
Born a slave of African and Natick Indian heritage, Attucks ran away from his owner when he was 27 years old. He signed on as a sailor for 20 years. While at sea, he taught himself to read and write.
Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806): Inventor, Mathematician, Astronomer, Surveyor
Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784): Poet
An african-born woman who was kidnapped by slave traders wwhen she was about 8 years old and brought to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1761. She learned English quickly and was taught to read. When she was 14, she began writing poetry. When he owner was very ill, he freed Wheatley and sent her to England. She published "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral". Wheatley returned to her former mistress when Wheatley heard that she was ill. She cared for her and remained with the family. Wheatley wrote a poem about Washington which he asked Wheatley to visit him. When her previous owner died, she was forced to elave. Shortly thereafter, she married John Peters. He was frequently away, and the marriage was unhappy. Although in ill health, Wheatley had to work as a servant to support herself. Two of her three children died shortly after they were born. On Dec 5, 1784, Wheatley passed away at age 31. Her third child died the same day.
Peter Salem (1750-1816): Revolutionary War Soldier:
At the Battle of Bunker Hill, Salem shot British officer, Major John Pitcairn, after he said "The day is ours!" (Pitcairn was encouraging his men to charge a third time after the two previous attempts they were forced back). The British won the fight when the Americans' ammunition ran out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2013
This book is put out by Children's Press, a division of Scholastic Inc. In 275 pages 96 biographical profiles of influential African Americans, both men and women, are provided. The accompanying photos are all in black and white. Their stories include much detail that fills in the gaps between what we read in our school history books and the important contributions by so many African Americans in times of war and times of peace. These are life stories that remain largely untold unless they are gathered together in a book such as this. That makes it so much more important to share this kind of reading with young adults in the classroom.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews