James Thomas Rapier was an elected, republican representative from the state of Alabama. He was elected to the 43rd United State Congress. He was well known for campaigning for African American Suffrage. Prior to being elected h was the keynote speaker for the Tennessee Negro Suffrage convention in Nashville. However, the convention was not very successful, and he returned to farming. He was very passionate about African American rights causing him to advocate for black voting rights, education, and so much more. He held many positions and was 1 of 3 of the only black men in Congress during the Reconstruction Era. Rapier served as elected official from 1872-1874. During his time, he proposed a plan to provide land to western freedmen and he
