Global InformationRobert Mills Lusher information
Robert Mills Lusher | |
|---|---|
| Louisiana Superintendent of Public Education | |
| In office 1865–1868 | |
| Preceded by | John McNair |
| Succeeded by | Thomas W. Conway[1] |
| Louisiana Superintendent of Public Education | |
| In office 1877–1880[2] | |
| Preceded by | William G. Brown |
| Succeeded by | Edwin H. Fay |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 17, 1823 Charlestown, South Carolina |
| Died | November 23, 1890 (aged 67) New Orleans, Louisiana, US |
| Spouse(s) |
Augusta Salomon
(m. 1851–1872)Alice Lamberton
(m. 1881–1890) |
| Alma mater | Georgetown University Tulane University |
| Profession | Lawyer, Educator |
| Known for | Segregationist Louisiana Education |
Robert Mills Lusher (May 17, 1823 - November 23, 1890) was a writer, journalist, educator, and superintendent of education in Louisiana. He was known for segregating schools in Louisiana immediately following the American Civil War. Lusher moved to New Orleans following his first cousin Mary Powell Mills who was involved in an interracial marriage to Creole author and diplomat Alexander Dimitry.[4] Alexander was the first superintendent of education in Louisiana and the first person of color to hold that position. The Dimitry family underwent countless instances of racism.[5][6][7][8] Two major incidents involving the family were documented in court entitled Forstall, f.p.c. v. Dimitry (1833) and Pandelly v. Wiltz (1854). The Creole family was heavily pressured to pass as white which is deemed ethnocide. Lusher was closely involved with the Dimitry family and endorsed by Alexander and Alexander's daughter Virginia Ruth Dimitry was also involved with Lusher as an educator.[9][10]
Robert was born in Charlestown, South Carolina from a young age he was educated by prominent architect Robert Mills. While in Washington he attended Georgetown College and met Creole author and educator Alexander Dimitry whom motivated the young man to move to New Orleans, Louisiana. While in Louisiana he finished a law degree at Tulane University. He was a court clerk for many years, served as a clerk of the Confederate states district court, and chief tax collector for Louisiana. He became the ninth state superintendent of education in Louisiana supporting segregation of schools right after the Civil War and the onset of Jim Crow laws.[10][11][12]
Lusher was a member of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows. In 1847, he was elected and served two years as state Grand Worthy Patriarch of the Sons of Temperance. Lusher was honored with several medals throughout his life including three medals from Georgetown College around 1840, the Robert E. Lee Memorial medal in 1871, and a George Peabody Medal in 1880. His father's family home known as the George Lusher House is a tourist attraction in Charleston, South Carolina. In 2022, due to the growing pressure of the community, Lusher's name was removed from the Robert M. Lusher School on Willow Street in New Orleans because he was known as a segregationist.[10][11][13]
- ^ Arroyo 1886, p. 73.
- ^ Rogers 1868, p. 102.
- ^ Pecquet du Bellet 1907a, p. 137-138.
- ^ Christophe 2018, p. 19.
- ^ Broyard 2007, p. 149: "Alexander Dimitry had been thrown out of a society ball for being colored, only to be spotted a little while later dining at a local restaurant with his very accusers."
- ^ "Distribution of Paris Metals". The Chicago Tribune, Volume 21, No. 3541. Chicago, Illinois: The Chicago Tribune. June 22, 1868. p. 2, col. 4. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
The Principle Address was by Prof. Alexander Dimitry a gentlemen revered for his learning but said to possess a small mixture of African Blood.
- ^ "Nomination Confirmed". Evening Star, Volume 15, No. 2164. Washington D.C: Evening Star. January 25, 1860. p. 2, col. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
Nomination Confirmed The appointment of Alexander Dimitry, as Minister to Africa, was yesterday confirmed by the Senate. amongst others.
- ^ "Buchanan Scrubbing the Ohio Democracy" (PDF). Weekly Ohio State Journal Vol. 49 No. 24 (Columbus Ohio), p. 2. Digital Academic Research Archives. September 26, 1859. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
Prof. Alexander Dimitry, whom Mr. Buchanan has recently appointed Minister to Nicaragua is reported to be of African descent, in part, and could not be a voter, or eligible to hold office in this State, according to the Democratic law of last winter. His supposed Africanism, it is said, impaired his usefulness in Louisiana, his native state. The president probably wanted to spite the rebellious Democracy of Ohio in making this offensive appointment.
- ^ Pecquet du Bellet 1907a, p. 172.
- ^ a b c "Death of R.M. Lusher". The Daily Picayune. New Orleans, Louisiana: The Daily Picayune. November 23, 1890. p. 2, col. 4. Archived from the original on June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Staff Writers (June 11, 2024). "Robert Mills Lusher Papers" (PDF). Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State Univeristy. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 29, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Breaux 2006, pp. 31–35, 47, 58–59, 82, 92, 117–118, 168, 170, 175, 179, 206.
- ^ "Lusher Charter School finally gets new name, ending homage to White supremacist". New Orleans, LA Local News. New Orleans, Louisiana: Nola. April 23, 2022. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.