Archibald Grimke

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Archibald Henry Grimké (pronounced grim-key) (August 17, 1849–February 25, 1930) was a multiracial lawyer, intellectual, journalist, diplomat and community leader in the 19th century. He was a graduate of Lincoln University, PA, class of 1870 and the second black graduate of Harvard Law School, a co-founder of the NAACP and served as consul to the Dominican Republic from 1894-1898.

Grimké was the eldest of three sons by Henry Grimké and his slave, a mulatto woman named Nancy Weston. Henry Grimké had two sisters, Sarah and Angelina, who were known as the Grimké sisters in abolitionist circles.

Francis J. Grimké , Lincoln University, PA , class of 1870, was one of his younger brothers. The abolitionist and diarist Charlotte Forten Grimké was his sister-in-law by virtue of her marriage to Francis. His youngest brother was named John.

While practicing law in Boston, he met Sarah Stanley, who was white. They married and had one daughter Angelina Weld Grimke, who became a teacher and a notable writer.