Henry Allen Rucker (November 14, 1852—May 11, 1924) was an African American entrepreneur and politician. Born into slavery, he was able to achieve significant wealth and political power within the Republican Party. From 1897 to 1911 — the administrations of McKinley, Roosevelt, and Taft, all Republicans — he was the appointed head of federal tax collections for the state of Georgia. Despite serving at the nadir of race relations in Atlanta, Rucker was one of the three most powerful Black politicians in Georgia, alongside Judson Whitlocke Lyons and John H. Deveaux, characterized as the "big three" by rival Benjamin Jefferson Davis Sr.
Henry A. Rucker is appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for Georgia
Henry Allen Rucker (November 14, 1852—May 11, 1924) was an African American entrepreneur and politician.
Historical Significance
Henry Allen Rucker (November 14, 1852—May 11, 1924) was an African American entrepreneur and politician.
Events Before
German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen announces his discovery of X-rays
German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen announces his discovery of X-rays
American Emile Grubbe is the first doctor to use radiation treatment for breast cancer
American Emile Grubbe is the first doctor to use radiation treatment for breast cancer
Giacomo Puccini's opera "La Boheme" premieres in Turin
Giacomo Puccini's opera "La Boheme" premieres in Turin
Charilaos Vasilakos of Greece wins the first modern marathon in 3:18 at the Panhellenic Games
Charilaos Vasilakos was a Greek athlete and the first man to win a marathon race. He also won a silver medal for a second place finish in marathon at the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens.
Writer "Heart of Darkness" Joseph Conrad (39) marries Englishwoman Jessie George (23)
Joseph Conrad was a Polish-British novelist and story writer. He is regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language and – though he did not speak English fluently until his twenties...
Events After
Brooklyn merges with New York City to form the present-day City of New York
The City of Greater New York was the consolidation of the City of New York with Brooklyn, western Queens County, and Staten Island, which took effect on January 1, 1898.
Painter Henri Matisse (28) weds Amélie Noellie Parayre
Painter Henri Matisse (28) weds Amélie Noellie Parayre
Australian cricketer Joe Darling hits the first six in Test cricket (out of the ground)
Australian cricketer Joe Darling hits the first six in Test cricket (out of the ground)
Poet Paul Laurence Dunbar (25) weds political activist and poet Alice Ruth Moore (22) in New York
Poet Paul Laurence Dunbar (25) weds political activist and poet Alice Ruth Moore (22) in New York
Battle of Atbara River: Anglo-Egyptian forces defeat 15,000 Sudanese during the Mahdist War, a turning point in the reco
Battle of Atbara River: Anglo-Egyptian forces defeat 15,000 Sudanese during the Mahdist War, a turning point in the reconquest of Sudan
More from the 1890s
Physicist J. J. Thomson (33) weds Rose Elisabeth Paget
Physicist J. J. Thomson (33) weds Rose Elisabeth Paget
Ellis Island opens as a US immigration inspection station and becomes the gateway to the United States for more than 12
Ellis Island opens as a US immigration inspection station and becomes the gateway to the United States for more than 12 million people
German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen announces his discovery of X-rays
German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen announces his discovery of X-rays
Eritrea is consolidated into a colony by the Italian government
Eritrea, officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. Its capital and largest city is Asmara.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on August 4, 1897?
- Henry Allen Rucker (November 14, 1852—May 11, 1924) was an African American entrepreneur and politician. Born into slavery, he was able to achieve significant wealth and political power within the Republican Party. From 1897 to 1911 — the administrations of McKinley, Roosevelt, and Taft, all Republicans — he was the appointed head of federal tax collections for the state of Georgia.
- Why is Henry A. Rucker is appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for Georgia significant?
- Henry Allen Rucker (November 14, 1852—May 11, 1924) was an African American entrepreneur and politician.