John Rock (abolitionist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Rock
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
John Stewart Rock
October 13, 1825 |
| Died | December 3, 1866 (aged 41) |
| Other names | John Sweatt Rock |
| Occupation | teacher, doctor, dentist, lawyer, and abolitionist |
John Stewart Rock (born October 13, 1825 – died December 3, 1866) was an amazing American who worked as a teacher, doctor, dentist, and lawyer. He was also a strong abolitionist, meaning he fought to end slavery.
John Rock was one of the first African-American men to earn a medical degree. He also made history as the first Black person to be allowed to practice law in the Supreme Court of the United States. He is often linked to the phrase "black is beautiful," though he didn't use those exact words. He did, however, speak powerfully about the beauty of Black people.
Early Life and Learning
John Stewart Rock was born on October 13, 1825, in Salem, New Jersey. His parents, John and Maria Rock, were free African Americans. Back then, it was rare for any child to finish grammar school, and even rarer for Black children. But John's parents encouraged him to study hard.
Even though they didn't have much money, they made sure he got a good education. By age 19, John had enough schooling to become a teacher. He started teaching in 1844 in a one-room school in Salem. He worked there for four years and was highly praised by older teachers.
John worked incredibly hard. He taught for six hours, tutored privately for two hours, and then studied medicine for eight hours every day! He learned from two white doctors, Dr. Shaw and Dr. Gibson, who let him use their books. At that time, many medical students learned by working with practicing doctors, just like John did.
In 1848, John tried to get into medical school but was turned away because he was Black. So, he decided to become a dentist instead. After learning from a white dentist named Dr. Harbert in 1849, John opened his own dental office in Philadelphia in 1850. Just one year later, he won a silver medal for his excellent work on silver dentures!
Finally, John was accepted into medical school. He graduated from American Medical College in Philadelphia in 1852. This made him one of the first African Americans to get a medical degree. By age 27, he was a respected teacher, dentist, and doctor.
In 1853, John moved to Boston. Many people thought Boston was the most welcoming city for African Americans in the United States. There, he opened his own dental and medical practice. Many of his patients were enslaved people who had escaped and were traveling through Boston on the Underground Railroad, a secret network helping them reach freedom in Canada. He also helped members of the Boston Vigilance Committee. This group worked to protect escaped enslaved people from a law called the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. John was the second Black person to join the Massachusetts Medical Society.
Fighting for Equal Rights
John Rock was a passionate abolitionist and civil rights leader. He strongly believed that all Americans deserved dignity and equal rights. Like other abolitionists such as George T. Downing and Robert Purvis, John became a famous public speaker. He traveled around New England, giving speeches about equal rights. He was also part of the National Equal Rights League with other important figures like Henry Highland Garnet and Frederick Douglass.
In 1855, John helped lead a campaign that successfully ended racial segregation in Boston's public schools. This meant Black and white children could go to school together.
However, there were big challenges in the fight for civil rights. One major setback was the famous Dred Scott court case. In 1857, the Supreme Court decided that Black Americans were not citizens and could not sue for their freedom. This ruling made John even more determined to fight for justice.
In March 1858, John gave a powerful speech in Faneuil Hall. While he didn't say the exact words "black is beautiful," he spoke about the beauty of Black people, praising their "beautiful, rich color." His speeches were printed in newspapers like The Liberator, spreading his important ideas.
Becoming a Lawyer
John Rock faced health problems and wanted to travel to Europe for treatment. He applied for a United States passport, but the Secretary of State, Lewis Cass, refused him. This was because the Dred Scott v. Sandford ruling said Black men were not U.S. citizens.
Even though the law said only the Secretary of State could issue passports, the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts gave John a passport. It said he was a citizen of Massachusetts. With this document, he traveled to Paris, France, for medical care.
John returned to Boston in 1859. In 1860, his doctors told him to reduce his workload. So, he stopped practicing medicine and dentistry and began studying law. On September 14, 1861, he passed his exam and was allowed to practice law in Massachusetts. He opened his own law office, where he worked even harder to fight for the rights of African Americans.
In 1862, he spoke at the Anti-Slavery Society in Boston. He disagreed with President Lincoln's idea of sending Black Americans to live in Haiti. John believed that Black people deserved full freedom and equality in America. He felt that even educated Black people still faced great unfairness. This feeling pushed him to achieve even more.
On February 1, 1865, a day after Congress approved the Thirteenth Amendment (which ended slavery), Senator Charles Sumner made a motion. This motion led to John Rock becoming the first Black lawyer ever allowed to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States! He was also the first Black person to be welcomed onto the floor of the United States House of Representatives. It was a day of great celebration.
Later Life and Legacy
On April 9, 1866, the Civil Rights Act of 1866 was passed. This law helped enforce the 13th Amendment and gave more rights to Black Americans. John Rock enjoyed this important victory for less than a year.
He became ill with a cold, which worsened his already fragile health. On December 3, 1866, John S. Rock passed away from tuberculosis at his mother's home in Boston. He was only 41 years old. He was buried with special honors in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. His tombstone proudly mentions his historic admittance to the Supreme Court.
