BLANCHE KELSO BRUCE

BORN ENSLAVE BLANCHE KELSO BRUCE WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN SENATOR TO SERVE A FULL TERM IN THE US SENATE FOR MISSISSIPPI. AT THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION IN 1880 HE WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO WIN ANY VOTES AT A MAJOR PARTY'S NOMINATING CONVENTION FOR VICE PRESIDENT. THAT SAME YEAR HE WAS APPOINTED REGISTER OF THE TREASURY HIS SIGNATURE WAS THE FIRST OF ANY AFRICAN AMERICAN TO APPEAR ON US PAPER CURRENCY.