We’re kicking off the new season with a discussion of an early civil rights leader in Texas, George T. Ruby. While his name may not be familiar now, Ruby was the most widely known of the first generation of Black politicians in the state during the Reconstruction era. In this talk based on his recent contribution to the Center’s Texas Biography Series, author Carl Moneyhon explores Ruby’s journey from his childhood in New York and Maine to his work in Haiti and Louisiana, before coming Texas in 1867. While teaching school and working for the freedman’s bureau, he became active in politics by organizing African Americans to vote, assisting with campaigns, and successfully running for state senate himself. Anyone with an interest in political history, civil rights, or Reconstruction in Texas won’t want to miss this one!

CARL H. MONEYHON is professor emeritus at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. A scholar of Civil War and Reconstruction history, his publications on Texas include Edmund J. Davis: Civil War General, Republican Leader, Reconstruction Governor; Texas after the Civil War: The Struggle of Reconstruction; and Republicanism in Reconstruction Texas. He holds BA and MA degrees from the University of Texas and a PhD from the University of Chicago.

Due to COVID concerns, this program will be over Zoom. All future programming will be decided on a case by case basis.

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