George W. Albright: Teacher, Mississippi State Senator, and target of the Klu Klux Klan.

There are many talented African American teachers in our country’s history. One of these is George Albright, a teacher from Mississippi who also served as a state Senator. His work was so controversial that he became a target of the Ku Klux Klan.

George was born into slavery in 1846. His birthplace was near Holly Springs, Mississippi. As a young child, George was taught to read by his mother, who worked in her slave owners’ kitchen. As she worked, she listened to the white children doing their lessons, and picked up what she could to teach herself and her little son.

When the Civil War broke out, George’s father joined the Union Army. Sadly, he was killed at the Battle of Vicksburg in Mississippi. During the conflict, George joined the Union League, which worked for the Republican party. Once President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, George worked diligently to inform former slaves that they had been freed.

When the Civil War was won and George gained his freedom, he worked as a field hand. He also attended school run by Nelson Gill, who was later murdered by the Ku Klux Klan. During these years, George married a white teacher, and also became a teacher himself.

In 1873, while the Reconstruction was in full swing, George was elected to the Mississippi State Senate on the Republican ticket. He won this seat by defeating E.H. Crump, a leader of the Ku Klux Klan. George served in the Senate from 1874 until 1879.

Besides his work in the legislature, George was a prominent figure in education. He helped to bring teachers from the north to the south. He also served as trustee of the State Normal School. In addition, he helped to organize a volunteer militia. For that effort he himself became a target of the Ku Klux Klan.

To learn more about this Chalkboard Champion, click on this link to read his biography.