- James W.C. Pennington
James W.C. Pennington (1809 - 1870) was an
African American orator , minister, andabolitionist .Pennington was born a slave in
Washington County, Maryland . After escaping to Littlestown,Pennsylvania , Pennington moved toNew York in 1828. A blacksmith by trade, he settled inNew Haven, Connecticut , and audited classes atYale Divinity School from 1834 to 1839 - becoming the first black man to attend classes at Yale. He was subsequently ordained and became a teacher, abolitionist, and author.He wrote "The Origin and History of the Colored People" in 1841, which has been called the first history of African Americans, and a slave narrative in 1850, "The Fugitive Blacksmith".
In 1849 the University of Heidelberg awarded him an honorary doctorate of divinity.
References
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Yale Alumni Magazine ", January/February 2006, Vol LXIX, No. 3."Pioneers" by Judith Ann SchiffExternal links
* [http://www.sun.ac.za/forlang/bergman/real/amistad/history/msp/bio_penn.htm Biography: James W.C. Pennington]
* [http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USASpennington.htm Spartacus Educational: James W.C. Pennington]
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