William James Whipper
William James Whipper | |
|---|---|
| South Carolina House of Representatives | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 23, 1834 Norristown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | July 29, 1907 (aged 73) Beaufort, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Spouse | Frances Rollin Whipper |
| Children | Leigh Whipper, Ionia Rollin Whipper, 3 other children |
| Relatives | William Whipper (uncle) Leighla Whipper (granddaughter) |
| Known for | abolitionist, politician, lawyer, judge |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1864–1865 |
| Unit | 31st Colored Troops |
| Battles/wars | Civil War |
William James Whipper (January 23, 1834 – July 29, 1907) was an American abolitionist, trial lawyer, municipal judge, and state legislator in South Carolina. An African American, he volunteered for the United States Army during the American Civil War, serving from 1864 to November 1865 as a member of the 31st Colored Troops. He played an influential role in the state government of South Carolina during Reconstruction. As a delegate to the state's 1868 constitutional convention, he supported women's suffrage, although his motion to allow "every citizen" to vote was not taken seriously at the time. He was a noted political opponent of Robert Smalls as well as a dedicated trial lawyer.