Ferdinand Q. Morton
Ferdinand Q. Morton | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1881 |
| Died | 1949 (aged 67–68) |
| Education | Harvard University (unfinished), Boston University School of Law (attended) |
| Occupations | Political leader, Lawyer |
| Known for | Leader of the United Colored Democracy (UCD); First African-American member of the New York City Civil Service Commission |
| Notable work | Advocated for African-American appointments in New York City government |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Parent(s) | Edward James Morton, Mattie Shelton Morton |
Ferdinand Q. Morton (1881 – 1949) was an American political leader during the Harlem Renaissance in Harlem, New York City.[1][2][3]
Biography
Ferdinand Q. Morton's parents, Edward James Morton and Mattie Shelton Morton, were former slaves in Mississippi.[1]
Morton attended Harvard University, though he remained half-a-credit shy of graduating due to a policy change.[1] He attended Boston University School of Law for a year and a half.[1] Morton began his career in politics by working on the unsuccessful presidential campaign of Democrat William Jennings Bryant.[1] He passed the New York State Bar in 1910.[1]
Morton joined the United Colored Democracy (UCD), a New York City African-American organization that allied with the New York City Democratic Party organization known as Tammany Hall.[3] Morton became the leader of the UCD in 1915.[1] In 1922, Morton was appointed to the New York City Civil Service Commission as its first African-American member; he served for 26 years.[1][2] Morton used his influence to secure the appointment of several African-American judges during his career.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Smith, Jessie Carney (2007). "Morton, Ferdinand Q.". Notable Black American Men. Vol. 2. Gale. ISBN 978-1-4144-1052-4 – via Encyclopedia.com.
- ^ a b c Hurwitt, Elliott (2004). "Morton, Ferdinand Q.". In Wintz, Cary D.; Finkelman, Paul (eds.). Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance: K-Y. Taylor & Francis. pp. 816–17. ISBN 978-1-57958-458-0.
- ^ a b Daynes, Gary (2003). "United Colored Democracy". In Mjagkij, Nina (ed.). Organizing Black America: An Encyclopedia of African American Associations. Routledge. p. 578. ISBN 978-1-135-58123-7.