Hiram Rhodes Revels, born September 27, 1827 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, became the first African-American senator when he was elected February 25, 1870, representing the State of Mississippi. During the Civil War, he organized two regiments of the United States Colored Troops and acted as chaplain.
In 1869 he was elected to the Mississippi State Senate representing Adams County. In 1870, he was elected by the state senate to finish the term of a U.S. senator which had been vacant since the Civil War. His election was opposed by southern Democrats, but on February 25, 1870, he was elected by a vote of 48 to 8.
He served for one year until March 3, 1871 and worked for equality during his term. He passed away in January 1901 in Aberdeen, Mississippi.
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