Formerly Enslaved Robert Smalls to Be First Black Man Immortalized at SC Capitol

Robert Smalls, a Civil War hero and political pioneer, will become the first African American honored with a statue on South Carolina’s Capitol grounds. The bipartisan decision follows years of advocacy, including efforts by Smalls’ descendants, and reflects a shift away from monuments honoring Confederate figures. Born into slavery, Smalls gained national fame in 1862 for commandeering a Confederate ship and delivering it to Union forces. He later served in Congress and helped draft South Carolina’s Reconstruction constitution. The statue will be sculpted by Basil Watson and placed prominently near the Capitol’s visitor entrance, serving as a powerful symbol of resilience and progress.

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Source: BET