SMALLS, ROBERT

SMALLS, ROBERT Robert Smalls (1839-1916) had the distinc­tion of serving longer than any fellow black Congressman elected to the United States House of Representatives during the Re­construction period. Representing South Carolina, Smalls served in the House from 1875 to 1887, with the exception of a two year period between 1879-1881. Prior to his congressional career, he served in the Union Navy during the Civil War, rising to the position of captain, and as South Carolina state senator from 1868 to 1870.