US Congressman. He graduated from Augusta, Georgia's Richmond Academy, studied law, and began a practice in Augusta in 1827. Though he had tuberculosis and was often ill, he attained the rank of Captain in the militia. He served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1829 to 1831, and was an unsuccessful candidate for state Attorney General in 1831, afterwards moving to Screven County. In 1838 he was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Whig and served one term, 1839 to 1841. Black ran unsuccessfully for reelection as a Democrat in 1840, but he won the 1841 special election held to fill a vacancy, and won reelection to a full term in 1842, serving from January, 1842 to March, 1845. He was known as a fierce advocate of slavery, condemning abolitionists for attempting to end slavery in the District of Columbia and prevent its spread into newly organized states. In February, 1845 he attempted to strike Ohio Congressman Joshua Giddings with a cane while Giddings spoke against slavery on the House floor, and Black was restrained by Mississippi Congressman William Hammett. Black ran unsuccessfully for reelection in 1844, after which he returned to practicing law. He was the father of Georgia Congressman George Robison Black (1835-1886), and the son in law of Georgia Congressman and Florida Governor Robert R. Reid (1789-1841). His date of death is sometimes given as 1846, but his grave marker indicates that he died in 1849.
US Congressman. He graduated from Augusta, Georgia's Richmond Academy, studied law, and began a practice in Augusta in 1827. Though he had tuberculosis and was often ill, he attained the rank of Captain in the militia. He served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1829 to 1831, and was an unsuccessful candidate for state Attorney General in 1831, afterwards moving to Screven County. In 1838 he was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Whig and served one term, 1839 to 1841. Black ran unsuccessfully for reelection as a Democrat in 1840, but he won the 1841 special election held to fill a vacancy, and won reelection to a full term in 1842, serving from January, 1842 to March, 1845. He was known as a fierce advocate of slavery, condemning abolitionists for attempting to end slavery in the District of Columbia and prevent its spread into newly organized states. In February, 1845 he attempted to strike Ohio Congressman Joshua Giddings with a cane while Giddings spoke against slavery on the House floor, and Black was restrained by Mississippi Congressman William Hammett. Black ran unsuccessfully for reelection in 1844, after which he returned to practicing law. He was the father of Georgia Congressman George Robison Black (1835-1886), and the son in law of Georgia Congressman and Florida Governor Robert R. Reid (1789-1841). His date of death is sometimes given as 1846, but his grave marker indicates that he died in 1849.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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