Ebenezer Bassett

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Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett (1833- 1908) was an African American appointed US Minister to Haiti in 1869, making him the first black American diplomat.

[edit] Early life

Bassett was born on October 16, 1833, in Litchfield, Connecticut. Soon after, Bassett's family moved to nearby Derby, Connecticut. In Derby, Bassett attended grammar school and the Connecticut Normal School. Next, Bassett attended Yale where he studied to become a teacher. After finishing college, Bassett moved to Philadelphia where he worked as a schoolteacher for 14 years.

[edit] Civil War and Diplomatic Career

During the American Civil War, Bassett strongly encouraged other blacks to enlist in the Union Army and wrote a number of open letters encouraging enlistment. These actions helped him win the favor of Republican politicians, and earned the gratitude of Union commanders. When Ulysses Grant was inaugurated as President in 1869, he remembered (or was reminded of) Bassett's contributions to the war effort and high standing in the black community. So, on April 6, he appointed Bassett Minister to Haiti.

Bassett served as US Minister until 1877, including one year, 1874, as US Consul General in Port-au-Prince. After his time in Haiti, Bassett returned to Philadelphia. Over the remainder of his life, he worked in education, including serving as the principal of the Institute for Colored Youth in Philadelphia. In this position, he mentored black civil rights activists such as Octavius Catto. He was succeeded as principal by Fanny Jackson Coppin. He died in 1908 and was buried in the Grove Street Cemetery in New Haven, Connecticut.