Charlotte Forten Grimke

Teacher

(1837-1914)

Charlotte forten was born into a wealthy, free family.  Her grandfather was a famous inventor and an abolitionist.

Forten was educated in private schools, due to her family's wealth.  She was a good student and taught herself french, German, and latin. 

In 1856 forten completed her studies and became a teacher at the Epps Grammer School.  She was the first African Amerifcan to teach white students.  During the Civil War, some slaves escaped to Sea Island, off the ocast of Carolina.  Forten traveled to the island and taught the escaped slaves. 

In 1873, Forten became a clerk in the U.S. Treasury Department.  Later she wrote articles for a newspaper and wrote poetry.  

Forten's diary was published in 1951, may years after her death.  It provided a picture of the times and lives of African Americans living in Philadelpia in the late 1800's/  It showed that, although Forten was born to a life to luxury and leisure, she gave it up in order to help African American people move forward. 

Related Sites:

African American Almanac

PBS- Online

World of Quotes