Robert Smalls

Politician

April 5, 1839 Beaufort, South Carolina, United States

February 23, 1915 Beaufort, South Carolina, United States

Annie E. Wigg (m. 1890), Hannah Jones (m. 1856)

Robert Smalls was an American politician, businessman, and publisher. He served as a civilian in the ‘Union Navy’ and the ‘Union Army.’ He was born into slavery and started working as a slave at a tender age. He was a slave until his daring escape on the ‘Confederate’ steamer ‘U.S.S. Planter.’ Along with his family, other trustworthy slaves, and their respective families, Smalls stole the ‘Planter’ and then piloted it to escape. He hoodwinked the ‘Confederate Navy’ and sneaked out of their waters with the ship, eventually surrendering it to the ‘Union Navy.’ Later, his skills were used by the ‘Union Navy’ and the ‘Union Army’ to fight the ‘Confederate’ forces. After the civil war, he ventured into business and politics. He also worked toward improving the conditions of the people of color and providing them better infrastructure, good quality supplies, education, and civil rights.