Solomon T. Clanton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Solomon T. Clanton
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Clanton in 1892
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| Born | March 27, 1857 Cypremort, Louisiana, U.S.
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| Died | May 18, 1918 (aged 61) |
| Alma mater | New Orleans University, Baptist Union Theological Seminary, Simmons College of Kentucky |
| Occupation | Minister |
| Political party | Republican |
| Religion | Baptist |
Solomon T. Clanton (born March 27, 1857 – died May 18, 1918) was an important leader in the Baptist Church. He was also a dedicated educator. He studied in New Orleans and Chicago. He made history as the first Black person to graduate from the theology program at the Baptist Union Theological Seminary. This school was connected to the University of Chicago.
Clanton taught at several universities, including Leland University, Alabama A&M University, and Selma University. He even served as acting president at Alabama A&M University for a short time. Later, he became a dean at Selma University. He also worked as an assistant librarian at the University of Chicago before he passed away.
Early Life and Education
Solomon T. Clanton was born on March 27, 1857. His hometown was Cypremort, Louisiana. His parents were Solomon T. and Mary Clanton. Solomon started school when he was five years old.
When he was about nine, his father died. This left him, his mother, and his two sisters. Clanton wanted to go to high school. He passed the entrance test but was not allowed into the white school. So, he went to New Orleans University. He graduated from there in 1878.
In December 1878, he became a math instructor at Leland University in New Orleans. He worked there until May 1880. Clanton was very active in the Baptist Church. He spent several summers working for the Sunday school mission.
At Leland, he met James R. Boise. Mr. Boise was from the Baptist Union Theological Seminary. In September 1880, Clanton started studying at this seminary in Chicago. He graduated in 1883. He was the first Black graduate from their theology department. New Orleans University gave him a Master of Arts degree in 1888. In 1892, he received a D.D. degree from State University in Louisville, Kentucky.
Career and Leadership
After graduating in 1883, Clanton became a Sunday school missionary. He also worked as a secretary for the American Baptist Foreign Mission. In 1886, he was elected secretary at the American Baptist National Convention. This convention aimed to unite Black Baptists. They wanted to help each other and build "race confidence."
Clanton also served as a pastor in Elgin, Illinois and Evanston, Illinois. He was a missionary in Louisiana and Illinois. He held many important roles in Baptist organizations. He was a recording secretary and a financial secretary. He also edited two newspapers, the Christian Herald and the Louisiana Baptist.
Clanton was involved in politics too. He was a member of the Republican Party. In 1892, he was a delegate from Louisiana to the Republican National Convention. This was a big meeting where the party chose its candidate for president.
In 1895, he became the principal of the North Louisiana Industrial High School for Black students. In 1903, he worked at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama. He was the chaplain and principal of the Normal Department. He even served as acting president for a short time. Later, he became the dean of the Theological Department at Selma University. In 1917, he started working as an assistant librarian at the University of Chicago.
Family and Passing
On June 6, 1883, Solomon Clanton married Olive Bird. She was from Decatur, Illinois. They had six children together. Their children included Edna, Georgie, Bennie, Solomon, and Dwight. Bennie and Solomon later became lawyers. Dwight served as a Corporal in World War I.
Georgie, one of their daughters, passed away in 1911. Solomon T. Clanton died on May 18, 1918, in Chicago. His funeral was held at Antioch Baptist Church in Decatur, Illinois.
