Joseph H. Rainey takes seat as second Black US congressman

Background. Joseph Hayne Rainey was born in Georgetown, South Carolina, in 1832. Before his federal service, he participated in the 1868 state constitutional convention and was elected to the South Carolina Senate in 1870, where he chaired the Finance Committee. His election to Congress followed these state-level political achievements, establishing his path to national office.

Congressional Context. The 41st United States Congress met in Washington, D.C., from March 4, 1869, to March 4, 1871. This legislative body included the Senate and House of Representatives. The context of this Congress included the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment in February 1870, which preceded Rainey's seating in December 1870.

Historical Significance. Rainey was the first Black person to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was the second Black person to serve in the U.S. Congress overall, following Hiram Revels, who became the first African American in the Senate in February 1870. Rainey's service included time as a presiding officer, though this occurred later in his tenure.