Martin Robison Delany

Born: 1812 in W. Virginia, into slavery

Died: 1885

Became one of the highest-ranking African Americans in the military as a Major in the Civil War.

Led the Vigilance Committee that helped to relocate escaped slaves.

He joined the militia in Pittsburgh to help protect African Americans against attacks.

He founded The Mystery , an African American newspaper.

Traveled to Africa in the 1850s to negotiate land for freed slaves to return to Africa.

Said: “If we treated everyone we meet with the same affection we bestow upon our favorite cat, they, too, would purr.”