Overview

Known as the “Father of Black Nationalism” Martin Robinson Delany consistently advocated for African-Americans to immigrate to Africa.

Fast Facts

• First African-American Field Officer in the U.S. Army.
• Organized and published The North Star with Frederick Douglass
• Published Blake: Or the Huts of America in response to Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
• One of three African-American men admitted to Harvard Medical School—his admittance was rescinded after white students protested his presence.

• Led the National Emigration Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. This meeting laid the foundation for Black Nationalism.

Delany was born a free in Charles Town, Virginia. His father, Samuel was an enslaved man and his mother, Pati was a freedwoman.

During Delany’s early childhood, his freedom was threatened when he learned how to read using The New York Primer. When the text was discovered by whites, Delany’s mother took her children to Pennsylvania so that they could remain free. Within a year, Delany’s father purchased his freedom and joined the family in Chambersburg, Pa.

At the age of 19, Delaney traveled to Pittsburgh where he found work as a barber and laborer.

Marriage and Family

 In 1843, Delany married Catherin A. Richards. The couple had seven children who reached adulthood.

Abolitionist

Delany’s work as an abolitionist began soon after his arrival in Pittsburgh. In 1835, he attended the National Negro Convention. Inspired by the speeches, Delany wanted to organize a “Black Isreal” on the eastern coast of Africa.

In addition, Delany began participating activities on the Underground Railroad.  

Most notably in 1843, Delany began publishing The Mystery, an African-American owned and operated newspaper. Delany’s articles and editorials were often reprinted in publications such as The Liberator.

In 1847, Delany would meet Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison. Together, the men would establish The North Star.

Work as a Medical Practioner

In 1833, Delany began working as an apprentice to a Pittsburgh physician. Soon after, he opened his own practice in which he used cupping and leeching techniques to cure patients.

However, Delany wanted to attend medical school. In 1850 Delany was admitted to Harvard Medical School. However, within a month the school dismissed Delany and two other black students after white students protested their presence.

Nationalism

Angered by his dismissal from Harvard Medical College, Delany began questioning whether African-Americans should remain in the United States.

Historians have proven that both Delany’s maternal and paternal grandparents were Africans who were kidnapped and sold into American slavery. In many accounts, Delany was said to be inspired to reconnect to his roots.

By 1852, Delany published The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States, Politically Considered. In this pamphlet, Delany argued that whites—even white abolitionists—would never accept African-Americans as equals in the United States. As a result, African-Americans should relocate to Africa. By 1859, Delany led an emigration commission to West Africa, researching sites for a new nation along the Niger River. In his journal he wrote, “We are a nation within a nation, we must go from our oppressors.”

Civil War Hero

But when the Civil War began in 1861, Delany returned. Working with Douglass, Delany would recruit African-American men to enlist in the Union Army. He recruited “The Rebel,” Mary Ann Shadd Cary, to lead recruitment offices in Indiana as well. For his work Delany was commissioned as a Major in the 52nd U.S. Colored Troops Regiment, becoming the first African-American line officer.