Francis Lewis Cardozo

Francis Lewis Cardozo Overview When Francis Lewis Cardozo was elected as South Carolina’s secretary of state in 1868, he became the first African-American to be elected to hold a political position in the state. His work as a clergyman, educator and politician allowed him to fight for the rights of African-Americans during the Reconstruction period.    Key Accomplishments Established Avery Normal Institute, one of the first free secondary schools for African-Americans.Early advocate for school integration in the South.First African-American to hold a statewide office in the United States. Famous Family Members Cardozo’s granddaughter is Eslanda Goode Robeson. Robeson was an actress, anthropologist, writer and civil rights activist. She was married to Paul Robeson.   A distant relative of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo. Early Life and Education Cardozo was born on February 1, 1836, in Charleston. His mother, Lydia Weston was a free African-American woman. His father, Isaac Cardozo, was Portuguese man. After attending schools established for freed blacks, Cardozo worked as a carpenter and shipbuilder. In 1858, Cardozo began attending the University of Glasgow  before becoming a seminarian in Edinburgh and London. Cardozo was ordained a Presbyterian minister and upon his return to the United States, he began working as a pastor. By 1864, Cardozo was working as a pastor at the Temple Street Congregational Church in New Haven, Conn. The following year, Cardozo began working as an agent of the American Missionary Association. His brother, Thomas, had already served as superintendent for the organization’s school and soon Cardozo followed in his footsteps. As superintendent, Cardozo reestablished the school as the Avery Normal Institute. The Avery Normal Institute was a free secondary school for African-Americans. The school’s primary focus was to train educators. Today, Avery Normal Institute is part of the College of Charleston. Politics In 1868, Cardozo served as a delegate at the South Carolina constitutional convention. Serving as the chair of the education committee, Cardozo lobbied for integrated public schools. That same year, Cardozo was elected as secretary of state and became the first African-American to hold such a position. Through his influence, Cardozo was instrumental in reforming the South Carolina Land Commission by distributing land to former enslaved African-Americans. In 1872, Cardozo was elected as state treasurer. However, legislators decided to impeach Cardozo for his refusal to cooperate with corrupt politicians in 1874. Cardozo was reelected to this position twice. Resignation and Conspiracy Charges When federal troops were withdrawn from Southern states in 1877 and the Democrats regained control of state government, Cardozo was pushed to resign from office. That same year Cardozo was prosecuted for conspiracy. Although evidence found was not conclusive, Cardozo was still found guilty. He served almost a year in prison. Two years later, Governor William Dunlap Simpson pardoned Cardozo. Following the pardon, Cardozo relocated to Washington DC where he held a position with the Treasury Department. Educator In 1884, Cardozo became the principal of the Colored Preparatory High School in Washington DC. Under Cardozo’s tutelage, the school instituted a business curriculum and became one of the most outstanding schools for African-American students. Cardozo retired in 1896. Personal Life While serving as pastor of Temple Street Congregational Church, Cardozo married Catherine Rowena Howell. The couple had six children. Death Cardozo died in 1903 in Washington DC. Legacy Cardozo Senior High School in the northwest section of Washington DC is named in Cardozo’s honor.