Celebrating Black History Month: A. C. Hamlin, first African-American elected to Oklahoma Legislature

Albert Comstock "A.C." Hamlin, born February 10, 1881 in Topeka, Kansas, moved with his family to Oklahoma Territory in 1890.  In 1908, he was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives due to the majority of African-Americans in Logan County, Oklahoma, which is just north of the capitol. He had served on the school board and a town trustee prior to his election. 

The white supremacists in Oklahoma politics created a constitutional amendment created to prevent black people from voting.  Thus, Hamlin lost his bid for re-election in 1910. The amendment, known as the 'grandfather clause' was declared unconstitutional in 1915, but Hamlin died in August 1912 of unknown causes.

Now, an awards banquet named for Hamlin is held biennially by Oklahoma's Legislative Black Caucus.