Theophilus John McKee facts for kids

Theophilus John McKee (born September 29, 1879 – died August 4, 1948) was an African-American lawyer. He came from the well-known Syphax family. For most of his life, he lived as a white man. However, he later shared his true background to receive money and property left to him by a relative.

Living a Different Life

Early Life and Family

Theophilus John McKee was born Theophilus John Syphax in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents were Douglas Syphax and Abbie (McKee) Syphax. His grandfather, Colonel John McKee, was an African-American man who bought and sold land. He also fought in the Civil War. Theophilus had a mixed background and light skin.

In 1902, when he was 22 years old, Theophilus made a big decision. He chose to live as a white man to avoid the unfair Jim Crow laws. These laws created many problems for African Americans at the time. To do this, he stopped being in touch with his family.

Changing His Name and Career

In June 1904, Theophilus John Syphax legally changed his name to T. John McKee. He then began living as part of white society. He became friends with many important people, including other lawyers and judges.

In 1905, he was accepted into Columbia University's law school. For the next 40 years, McKee worked as a lawyer for businesses on Wall Street.

Family Life and Secrets

McKee married Anna Lois Dixon, a white woman from upstate New York. They lived in New York City and had two sons. Their first son, T. John McKee, Jr., was born in 1910. Their second son, Douglas Dixon McKee, was born in 1911. Both sons went to college, one at Yale and the other at Trinity College.

McKee kept his African-American family background a secret from his wife and children. After his marriage to Anna Dixon ended, McKee married another white woman. He continued to live as a white man. McKee and his wife lived on Manhattan's East Side. After his sons finished college, they moved to upstate New York to be closer to their mother.

Revealing the Truth

McKee had to tell his secret when he wanted to claim an inheritance. In 1946, his first cousin, Dr. Henry McKee Minton, passed away. McKee was the last living grandchild of the Syphax-McKee family from Philadelphia.

On March 25, 1948, a newspaper called the New York Post reported the story. It said that even though McKee had been accepted as a white man for 45 years, he was actually the African-American grandson of Civil War veteran Colonel John McKee. Syphax/McKee passed away on August 4, 1948, due to a serious health problem with his heart.