Oscar Dunn

Oscar Dunn

Oscar James Dunn (* around 1820 in New Orleans , Louisiana ; †  November 21, 1871 there ) was an American politician . Between 1868 and 1871 he was lieutenant governor of the state of Louisiana.

Career

Oscar Dunn was born in New Orleans during the times of slavery . His exact year of birth is not known. His parents were able to buy themselves and their children out of slavery around 1832. His mother then ran a hostel for white actors. He himself worked as a plasterer and painter. In the meantime he also worked as a music teacher. Life as a free black man in a southern metropolis before the civil war was not easy. In this war he joined the Louisiana Native Guards , who served as the first African-American unit in the Union's army . He made it to the captain. Politically, he joined the Republican Party . He served on the New Orleans City Council and the Louisiana Senate . Dunn opposed the policies of President Andrew Johnson , who he believed cared too much for the interests of former masters in the southern states and neglected the interests of the freed slaves.

In 1868, Dunn was elected Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana as the first African American alongside Henry C. Warmoth . He held this office between 1868 and his death on November 21, 1871. He was Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Senate. This time was marked by the domestic political unrest in connection with the corruption allegations against Governor Warmoth. In addition, the rights of African Americans, despite being the lieutenant governor, were severely restricted. Until around 1900, Louisiana remained politically unstable. Dunn tried unsuccessfully to counteract these developments. He died unexpectedly on November 21, 1871 in New Orleans. Since he had made many enemies because of his political stance, it was rumored that he had been poisoned. But that could never be proven.

Web links

• Oscar Dunn in the database of Find a Grave (English)
• biography