Cyrus Field Adams facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cyrus Field Adams
Image of Adams from September 1900 issue of The Afro-American Council
Born	(1858-07-18)July 18, 1858 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	February 18, 1942(1942-02-18) (aged 83) Manitoba, Canada
Occupation	Activist, author, teacher, newspaper manager, businessman

Cyrus Field Adams (born July 18, 1858 – died February 18, 1942) was an important American leader. He was a civil rights activist, writer, teacher, and businessman. Adams worked hard to make life better for African Americans. He used his skills in writing and teaching to fight for equal rights.

Early Life and Family

Cyrus Field Adams was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He was one of five children. His parents were Henry Adams and Margaret P. Corbin Adams. His father was a minister who helped start the first Black Baptist churches in Louisville. He also taught educational services in the church.

Cyrus worked with his brother, John Q. Adams. They managed a newspaper called Bulletin in Louisville. This was from 1879 to 1885. Later, Cyrus became the secretary of the National Afro-American Council. He also wrote a book about this group. President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him to a job in the United States Treasury.

Adams's Career and Activism

When he was a teenager, Adams became a teacher in Louisville. He taught at a public school for Black students. He also worked as an editor for The Bulletin newspaper. This newspaper was popular with the Black community. In his articles, Adams strongly defended the rights of Black people.

Adams spent his life working to help African Americans. He became the first life member of the "National Negro Business League." This group helped Black businesses grow. Cyrus Field Adams moved to different cities, including Washington D.C. and Chicago.

Newspaper Work in Chicago

Chicago became a very important place for Adams's career. He worked with his brother, J.Q. Adams, at The Appeal newspaper. Cyrus was the manager and head editor. The Appeal became one of the most popular African-American newspapers in Chicago. This was in the late 1800s.

Teaching and Civil Rights

While working at The Appeal, Adams also taught in Chicago. He was very good at German. In 1888, he offered German language classes. These classes lasted for six weeks. Students would meet for four hours a day, five days a week.

Adams helped the Civil Rights Movement. He used his many newspapers to speak out against racism. He wrote articles and books that shared information about civil rights groups. He also wrote about important African American activists. His works included The National Afro-American Council and articles in Colored American Magazine. He also wrote a book called The Republican Party and the Afro-American in 1912.

Political Involvement

Adams in his private office at The Appeal, around the late 1890s.

Cyrus F. Adams was a key fighter for civil rights for African Americans. He used his different jobs to speak up for equal rights. He worked for newspapers, as a teacher, and in the U.S. Treasury.

After President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him, Adams worked as the Assistant Register at the U.S. Treasury. He used this position to write his book, The National Afro-American Council, Organized 1898. In 1912, Adams left his job at the Treasury. He joined President Taft's re-election campaign. President Taft asked him to do this. Taft lost the election, and President Wilson became president. Wilson replaced many people who worked for Taft, including Adams.

Later Years

In his later life, Adams traveled around the world. He applied for a passport in 1914. He continued to travel until 1931. He lived permanently in Chicago, Illinois, during this time. Cyrus Field Adams passed away in Manitoba, Canada, on February 18, 1942.

Images for kids

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  Image of Adams from September 1900 issue of The Afro-American Council

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  Adams in his private office at The Appeal, around the late 1890s.