Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

T. Thomas Fortune

Role / Field:

Pioneering journalist and civil rights activist who shaped African American press.

Born:

1856-10-03

Died:

1928-06-02

Century / Era:

1856s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Timothy Thomas Fortune (October 3, 1856 – June 2, 1928) was an American journalist, newspaper publisher, orator, and civil rights activist who was best known as the managing editor of the The New York Age. Fortune was born into slavery in Marianna, Florida. Following emancipation, Fortune's father, Emanuel, got involved in Florida politics and secured Fortune a role as a page in the Florida Legislature, where he developed an interest in politics and a distrust of white politicians. During this time, he learned the printer's trade.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In his late teens, he briefly attended Howard University, worked as a printer in Washington D.C., and got married. Fortune moved to New York City around 1880 and took editorial oversight of the Rumor, which became The New York Globe. He quickly gained a reputation for his editorials, which followed him to subsequent publications the New York Freeman and the Age. Widely considered the best African American journalist of his age by his peers, Fortune wrote and spoke often of racial injustices suffered by African Americans, criticized politicians both Democratic and Republican, argued against monopolies and for class solidarity, and was a proponent of African...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

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• 1856 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1856
• October 3 (10-03) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 3
• 1928 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1928
• June 2 (06-02) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on June 2

Frequently Asked Questions about T. Thomas Fortune