Henry E. Hayne facts for kids

Henry E. Hayne was an important politician in South Carolina during the Reconstruction era. This was a time after the American Civil War when the Southern states were rebuilt. Hayne was a member of the Republican Party. He was elected to the state legislature in 1870. Later, he became the Secretary of State in 1872. In 1873, while he was Secretary of State, Hayne made history. He became the first student of color to enroll in the medical school at the University of South Carolina. His brothers, Charles D. Hayne and James N. Hayne, also held public office.

Early Life and Beginnings

Henry E. Hayne was born around 1840. He was born into slavery. His mother was enslaved and had a mixed background. His father was a white planter and also a state politician. Hayne's father recognized him as his son. He made sure Henry received some education. This education helped Henry in his life and career later on.

Hayne grew up in the city of Charleston.

Political Career During Reconstruction

During the Reconstruction era, Hayne became very active in politics. He joined the Republican Party. This party supported giving citizenship and voting rights to freedmen. Freedmen were formerly enslaved people.

In 1868, Hayne was chosen as a delegate. He attended the South Carolina Constitutional Convention. At this meeting, he supported ideas like a poll tax. This was a tax people paid to vote. He also supported a literacy requirement. This meant people had to be able to read and write to vote.

In 1870, he was elected to represent Marion County. He served in the South Carolina Senate. After that, he was elected as the Secretary of State of South Carolina. He held this important job from 1872 to 1877. He took over from Francis Lewis Cardozo. Hayne tried to be re-elected in 1876 but did not win. He then left the state.

Breaking Barriers at the University

In 1868, the state legislature passed a new constitution. This law said that public facilities should be open to all students. While serving as Secretary of State, Hayne enrolled in the medical school. This was at the University of South Carolina in the fall of 1873. He became the first student of color at the university. Even though he had a mixed background, he was mostly white in his ancestry.

This event was big news across the country. The New York Times newspaper wrote about it. They described Hayne as "as white as any of his ancestors." Some teachers at the university resigned because they did not agree with this change. In 1870, the university had already hired its first black teacher. His name was Richard Greener. He was a graduate of Harvard University.

After the 1876 election, the Democratic Party took control. They won the state legislature and the governor's office. In early 1877, they closed the university. They passed a law that stopped black students from being admitted. They said that Claflin College in Orangeburg was the only college for African Americans in the state. Hayne finished his education somewhere else.

See also

• African-American officeholders during and following the Reconstruction era