Formerly enslaved educator and ambassador. Born in slavery in St. Louis, Missouri, Turner's father was able to purchase his family's freedom in 1843. James was sent to clandestine schools in St. Louis and later was admitted to Oberlin College Preparatory School. He was not able to complete his degree because his father died, and he helped support his mother and sister.
James became a butler for Madison Miller, going with him into the Union Army during the Civil War. After the war, Miller's brother-in-law, Missouri Governor Thomas Fletcher appointed Turner Assistant Superintendent of Schools in charge of establishing schools for freed Blacks throughout Missouri. Turner raised money to establish Lincoln Institute in Jefferson City, Missouri, which was the first high school & teacher training institute for Blacks in Missouri. He was one of the founders & leaders of the Missouri Equal Rights League, the first African American political organization in Missouri.
In 1871, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Turner Ambassador to Liberia (1871-1878), making Turner the first African American diplomat to represent the United States in a foreign country. After returning to St. Louis, he worked on the Refugee Relief Board, helping thousands of destitute southern Blacks who were migrating to Kansas. In 1881, Turner organized the Freedman's Oklahoma Association, and for the next 20 years, he battled for the rights of Blacks in Indian Territory.
James became a butler for Madison Miller, going with him into the Union Army during the Civil War. After the war, Miller's brother-in-law, Missouri Governor Thomas Fletcher appointed Turner Assistant Superintendent of Schools in charge of establishing schools for freed Blacks throughout Missouri. Turner raised money to establish Lincoln Institute in Jefferson City, Missouri, which was the first high school & teacher training institute for Blacks in Missouri. He was one of the founders & leaders of the Missouri Equal Rights League, the first African American political organization in Missouri.
In 1871, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Turner Ambassador to Liberia (1871-1878), making Turner the first African American diplomat to represent the United States in a foreign country. After returning to St. Louis, he worked on the Refugee Relief Board, helping thousands of destitute southern Blacks who were migrating to Kansas. In 1881, Turner organized the Freedman's Oklahoma Association, and for the next 20 years, he battled for the rights of Blacks in Indian Territory.
Formerly enslaved educator and ambassador. Born in slavery in St. Louis, Missouri, Turner's father was able to purchase his family's freedom in 1843. James was sent to clandestine schools in St. Louis and later was admitted to Oberlin College Preparatory School. He was not able to complete his degree because his father died, and he helped support his mother and sister.
James became a butler for Madison Miller, going with him into the Union Army during the Civil War. After the war, Miller's brother-in-law, Missouri Governor Thomas Fletcher appointed Turner Assistant Superintendent of Schools in charge of establishing schools for freed Blacks throughout Missouri. Turner raised money to establish Lincoln Institute in Jefferson City, Missouri, which was the first high school & teacher training institute for Blacks in Missouri. He was one of the founders & leaders of the Missouri Equal Rights League, the first African American political organization in Missouri.
In 1871, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Turner Ambassador to Liberia (1871-1878), making Turner the first African American diplomat to represent the United States in a foreign country. After returning to St. Louis, he worked on the Refugee Relief Board, helping thousands of destitute southern Blacks who were migrating to Kansas. In 1881, Turner organized the Freedman's Oklahoma Association, and for the next 20 years, he battled for the rights of Blacks in Indian Territory.
James became a butler for Madison Miller, going with him into the Union Army during the Civil War. After the war, Miller's brother-in-law, Missouri Governor Thomas Fletcher appointed Turner Assistant Superintendent of Schools in charge of establishing schools for freed Blacks throughout Missouri. Turner raised money to establish Lincoln Institute in Jefferson City, Missouri, which was the first high school & teacher training institute for Blacks in Missouri. He was one of the founders & leaders of the Missouri Equal Rights League, the first African American political organization in Missouri.
In 1871, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Turner Ambassador to Liberia (1871-1878), making Turner the first African American diplomat to represent the United States in a foreign country. After returning to St. Louis, he worked on the Refugee Relief Board, helping thousands of destitute southern Blacks who were migrating to Kansas. In 1881, Turner organized the Freedman's Oklahoma Association, and for the next 20 years, he battled for the rights of Blacks in Indian Territory.
Bio by: Connie Nisinger
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