Octavius Catto
Another prominent educator and civil rights activist who attained a similar feat was Octavius Catto. He has a statue immortalizing his achievements in Philadelphia. He is the first African American who has been bestowed with such an honor, according to the Philadelphia Citizen.
He was also an athlete and a major in the Pennsylvania National Guard. He was the brain behind the recruitment of many African Americans who wanted to serve in the military. He advocated for the integration of Philadelphia’s horse-drawn street cars. He was killed in 1871 on Election Day when Blacks were fighting for the right to vote.
