Hiram Rhodes Revels

Biography

Hiram Rhodes Revels devoted his life to education, ministry, and public service, becoming the first African American to serve in the United States Senate during the Reconstruction era. A clergyman by training, he brought a steady moral voice to the Mississippi senate, advocating for reconciliation, educational opportunity, and the rights of newly freed citizens.

After his brief tenure in Washington, Revels returned to pastoral work and continued to nurture communities through teaching, preaching, and mentorship, leaving behind a legacy of dignity and hope. His enduring presence at Hillcrest Cemetery honors a life guided by faith, courage, and a commitment to progress.