Henry Francis Downing facts for kids
Henry Francis Downing (born 1846, died 1928) was an African-American man who had many jobs. He was a sailor, a politician, a writer of plays (dramatist), and a novelist (someone who writes novels). His cousin, Hilary R. W. Johnson, became the first president of Liberia, a country in Africa.
Henry Francis Downing was born in New York City. He was named after his father, Henry. His grandfather, Thomas Downing, was famous for selling oysters and providing food for events (a caterer). Henry also had an uncle, George T. Downing, who was a successful businessman and worked to end slavery (an abolitionist). George ran businesses in New York, Newport, Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C.
In 1864, Henry joined the U.S. Navy at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Navy records first showed he left without permission in 1865. However, it was later found that he left to go to his stepfather's funeral. His mother then arranged for him to leave the Navy so he could help her.
After the U.S. Civil War, Downing traveled around the world. He lived in Liberia, an American colony in Africa, for three years. When he returned to the U.S. in 1872, he joined the Navy again. He served until 1875.
Political and Writing Career
In 1887, President Grover Cleveland chose Downing to be a consul for the U.S. in Luanda, Angola. A consul is like an official representative for a country in another country. Downing resigned from this job in 1888.
Later, in 1890, he became a leader for African Americans in New York City. In 1891, he was chosen to be part of an important committee. The next month, Downing was one of the first African Americans to have dinner with a group called the Reform Democrats.
In June 1892, Downing, who was a member of the Democratic Party his whole life, joined other African Americans at the Democratic headquarters. They felt they needed to find new political allies. Around this time, Downing became the editor of a newspaper called the Brooklyn Messenger.
In 1895, Downing and his wife moved to London, England. They lived there for 22 years. While in London, he took part in the First Pan-African Conference in 1900. This was an important meeting for people of African descent from around the world.
Downing focused on writing while in London. He published several plays and a novel called The American Cavalryman: A Liberian Romance (1917). He was inspired by the life of Ira Frederick Aldridge, an African-American actor who became famous for performing Shakespeare in London and Europe. Downing was likely the first person of African descent to have a play written and published in Britain.
Later Life and Legacy
Downing returned to the U.S. in 1917 and lived in New York City. He passed away on February 19, 1928, at the Harlem Hospital.
His writing inspired the famous African-American filmmaker Oscar Micheaux. Micheaux based two of his films on Downing's stories. The film Thirty Years Later (1928) was based on a story by Downing. Also, the film A Daughter of the Congo (1930) was based on Downing's novel, The American Cavalryman.
Plays
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