Arthur Wergs Mitchell
Arthur W. Mitchell | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 1st district | |
| In office January 3, 1935 – January 3, 1943 | |
| Preceded by | Oscar De Priest |
| Succeeded by | William Dawson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 22, 1883 Lafayette, Alabama |
| Died | May 9, 1968 (aged 84) Petersburg, Virginia |
| Political party | Republican (Until 1932) Democratic (After 1932) |
| Spouse | Eula Mae King (m. January 11, 1905 – d. 1910) 1 son
Annie H. Mitchell (married c. 1919 – d. March 7, 1947) Clara D. Smith (m. March 20, 1948 – his death May 9, 1968) |
| Profession | Lawyer, Farmer |
Arthur Wergs Mitchell, Sr. (December 22, 1883 – May 9, 1968), was a U.S. Representative from Illinois and civil rights activist. Representing Illinois's 1st congressional district, for his entire congressional career from 1935 to 1943, he was the only African American in Congress. A supporter of the New Deal, Mitchell was the first African American to be elected to the United States Congress as a Democrat.