Edgar Cunningham facts for kids

Edgar V. Cunningham, Sr. (born December 11, 1910 – died February 27, 1980) was an important early member of the Boy Scouts of America. For many years, people believed he was the very first African American to earn the Eagle Scout award.

Edgar Cunningham married Susie Ann Rockett on September 14, 1931. They were married in Galena, Illinois. Together, they had five children, eighteen grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren.

Becoming an Eagle Scout

Edgar Cunningham was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He joined Troop 12 in Waterloo, Iowa. This troop was part of the Wapsipinicon Area Council at the time.

Troop 12 was a "colored troop" started in 1925. During this period, Scout groups were kept separate based on race. Troop 12 and Troop 9 were the two "colored troops" in Waterloo. James Lincoln Page helped create these troops.

Edgar Cunningham was the first Scout from either of these Waterloo troops to earn the Eagle Scout rank. He achieved this on June 8, 1926.

A Special Letter from the President

After Edgar earned his Eagle Scout award, he received a special letter. It was handwritten by President Calvin Coolidge. The letter called him the first black Eagle Scout.

His Scoutmaster, James Lincoln Page, also received an award from the President. This award was for guiding Edgar through the process.

Later Discoveries

After Edgar Cunningham passed away in 1980, people wondered if he truly was the first black Eagle Scout. The Winnebago Council, which took over from the Wapsipinicon Area Council, asked the national Boy Scouts of America office.

At that time, the national office did not keep records of a Scout's race. So, they could not confirm if Edgar was the first. He earned his Eagle Scout award fourteen years after the first one was given out.

More recent studies have found new information. They show that Hamilton Bradley from Rome, New York became an Eagle Scout before 1920. This means Hamilton Bradley is now known as the earliest black Eagle Scout.

See also

• Scouting in Iowa
• List of Eagle Scouts (Boy Scouts of America)